NEW DELHI: Chief minister J. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday demanded that the Centre support the state in funding and implementing the phase-II of the Chennai Metro Rail estimated to cost Rs 36,100 crore, while pitching for merger of the Chennai Metro with the existing MRTS.
In a memorandum submitted to PM Modi, Ms Jayalalithaa said the extension of corridor-I of Metro Rail Project up to Thiruvottriyur and Wimco Nagar covering a distance of 9.051 km at an estimated updated completion cost of Rs 3,253 crore is pending approval of the government of India.
She said the three corridors have been identified for implementation under phase-II at an estimated cost of Rs 36,100 crore and demanded “full support” of the Centre. “Integration of the Chennai MRTS with the Metro Rail is desirable and feasible as the MRTS has been substantially funded by the state government.Such integration would enable effective synergies between various modes of public transport and increase share of public transport. The issue is now under the consideration of railway board and the ministry of railways,” she said in the memorandum.
She also asked the government to review the “land for land” policy followed by defence and postal departments calling it a huge hindrance for timely project implementation.
“It is also counter-productive as the value of land in urban areas is very high and no alternate state government land in metropolitan areas is available,” she pointed out.
Further, the chief minsiter said the alternative land of equivalent value in non-urban areas means very large extents of land would have to be transferred causing disruption to people’s livelihoods.
The departments do not require the land for any specific purpose immediately. Hence, this impractical “land for land” policy should be urgently reviewed, she said.
