Shortly after floating tenders for a detailed design consultant (DDC) for about 12-km stretch from Light House to Meenakshi College with 12 underground stations, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has initiated work for a detailed project report to extend the line to another 15-km from CMBT to Poonamallee at a cost of ₹3,850 crore. It may be recalled that CMRL has already floated tenders for a detailed design consultant as it is currently in the final design of the alignment for building 45-km phase-1 stretch. A consultant for drawing a detailed design for a part of corridor-4, which will link the core of the city, is being appointed to draw a final design of the alignment, the underground stations including the station box, ramps linking underground with elevated stations, other features in the stations like ventilation and air-conditioning systems, mechanical, electrical and plumbing works as well as the tracks along the alignment. Among others, DDC will also assist contractors during the construction stage, the line between Light House and Meenakshi College in corridor-4 is expected to be ready in six years. The ₹85,047 crore phase-2 expansions have three corridors including corridor-4 covering 17.1km from Light House to CMBT with 20 underground metro stations.
