Chennai: In the second phase of the metro rail project, although five months have passed since safety clearance was granted to begin metro rail service between Poonamallee and Porur, the first train service has not yet started.
People have demanded that metro trains be operated on this route. In Chennai, the first phase of the metro rail project and the first phase extension project have been completed, and metro trains are operating on two routes: Airport to Wimco Nagar and Parangimalai to Chennai Central.
Three lakh people travel on these trains every day. Meanwhile, the second phase of the metro rail project is being implemented at a cost of Rs. 63,246 crore over a distance of 116.1 km across 3 corridors. Among these is the 4th corridor from Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass.
On this route, the section from Lighthouse to Kodambakkam Flyover is being built as an underground line, while the section from Kodambakkam Power House to Poonamallee Bypass is being built as an elevated line.
It will have 9 underground metro rail stations and 18 elevated metro rail stations. At present, tunnel and elevated line works are progressing intensively at various locations.
Meanwhile, as part of the 4th phase, the metro rail line from Poonamallee to Porur, covering a distance of 14.6 km, was laid in February last year.
On this line, after several rounds of inspections by the Metro Rail Safety Commissioner, permission was granted for metro rail operations on this line at the end of last February.
Following this, metro rail service was expected to begin in March. However, it was delayed due to the model code of conduct for the legislative assembly election. Even after the election ended and the DMK government came to power, five months have passed, but metro rail service has still not been launched.
Meanwhile, Vijay, the TVK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, traveled on the metro train on this route two weeks ago and inspected it. Following this, it was also announced in the Tamil Nadu Budget session that this metro rail service would be brought into public use very soon.
However, there has been no announcement regarding the commencement of metro rail service. On this route, the public has been continuously demanding that metro rail service should begin soon.
Regarding this, when asked, Metro Rail Corporation officials said, “We have requested the Central government regarding the commencement of train services on this route. After they allocate time for the official inauguration ceremony for this, train services will begin.”
