Chennai hastens underground metro stretch

In order to complete the major part of the metro project, the project contractor has fast tracked the underground 8 km metro stretch from Koyambedu to Nehru Park. With this, close to 70% of Phase-I of the service will become operational. Earlier, the plan was to open only a 4.5 km stretch from Koyambedu to Shenoy Nagar. The stretch is part of corridor-2, comprising seven underground stations and trial run has also been completed successfully, during which four-car train crossed the elevated line at Koyambedu Metro Station through a ramp connecting the underground tunnel. From Thirumangalam, the line is underground till Nehru Park cutting across the arterial Poonamallee High Road at a depth of 18 metres. The trains run at a speed of 25km/hr in manual mode as against the maximum speed of 80km/hr, as the signaling systems that will enable automatic operations, are yet to be installed. As of now, 90% of the construction work is complete on the stretch and the project is all set to be commissioned in the first quarter of next financial year.