Chennai Metro plans ₹225-cr maintenance depot

Chennai Metro Rail has planned to build a depot for maintenance of trains for the corridor between Light House and Poonamallee for the Phase-II project. The depot will have a facility for 24 tracks that can fit six coach trains. According to the DPR, it will be set up at an estimated cost of ₹225 crore. Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) is set to start the construction of the phase-II project this year and is in the process of finalizing multiple tenders. The depot needs to be ready first to accommodate the manufactured trains once they arrive in the city. CMRL informed that they had planned to operate services between Poonamallee and Power House initially. This part of the project is elevated and will be constructed quickly within four years. There are only two depots, with the biggest one at Madhavaram and the other at Poonamallee. The detailed project report indicates that 17 hectares will be required for the depot and staff quarters and both Madhavaram and Poonamallee depots and other facilities. CMRL will have to acquire nearly 40 hectares of land in and around the identified location.