Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday inaugurated the Poonamallee-Vadapalani section of Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail Project. The opening of this section, built at a cost of around Rs 4,900 crore, is expected to ease commuting between the city’s western suburbs and central Chennai. After the inauguration, both the leaders also travelled together in the metro train. This new section is being considered an important step towards the expansion of Chennai’s public transport network. This can provide relief to the people travelling daily and can also help in reducing the pressure of road traffic.
Which corridor of the second phase includes the new section?
The Poonamallee-Vadapalani section is part of Corridor-4 of Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project. A total of 11 elevated stations have been built on this approximately 15-kilometre-long route. The Phase II project aims to provide better metro connectivity to the rapidly developing areas of Chennai. The commissioning of the new section will provide an additional option to commuters to avoid road traffic jams and reach different parts of the city. This is expected to be of special benefit to working people, students and other daily commuters.
Why are double-decker structure and modern technology special?
Key features of this metro corridor include a 3.7 km long double-decker structure. This type of structure helps in making better use of transport infrastructure in limited urban space. A modern signaling system has also been installed in the corridor, which has been designed keeping in mind the needs of future driverless metro operations. Modern technology can help make train operations more organised and safe. However, the actual start of driverless operations will depend on the relevant technical tests and approvals.
How much will the projects cost?
The Prime Minister is going to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development projects worth more than Rs 13 thousand crore during his Chennai visit. These include schemes related to roads, railways, ports, petroleum and education sectors. There is also a program of national highway projects worth about Rs 3,700 crore in Tamil Nadu. These include projects related to the Vadugapatti-Therkuvenganallur section of NH-744A and the four-lane section of Madurai Ring Road. Apart from this, the foundation stone of Thiruvarur bypass on the Nagapattinam-Thanjavur section of NH-83 is to be laid.
Is there also emphasis on development of railways and ports?
Prime Minister Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port and V.O. Chidambaranar will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate port related projects. The objective of these schemes is to increase the capacity of ports, make freight movement more efficient and strengthen the infrastructure related to maritime transport. Along with this, five Amrit stations at Palani, Vellore Cantonment, Ambasamudram, Paramakudi and Namakkal will be dedicated to the nation. The inauguration of Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Center located at IIT Madras is also included in the programme.
Which functions will Modi attend?
The Prime Minister will also participate in the golden jubilee celebrations of Jagopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School during the day. During the Chennai visit, emphasis is being laid on several projects related to transport, connectivity and infrastructure. The inauguration of the new section of the metro is being considered important towards meeting the growing transportation needs of the city. Now passengers are expected to get the benefit of regular services and better connectivity on this route.
