Chennai: Chennaiites are just one step away from boarding the city’s first metro rail. It needs the nod from the Chief Minister’s office.
CMRL (Chennai metro rail limited) has already written to the CMO, requesting to fix a date for the launch of the commercial run from Koyambedu to Alandur. “We are ready. We have written to the CMO. They can fix and publish the inauguration date even today,” a highly placed CMRL officer requesting anonymity said.
All but the roofs of Koyambedu, Sidco and Alandur stations are over on the 10-km Koyambedu-Alandur section. The formal statutory inspection of commissioner of railway safety (CRS), Bengaluru, the last step ahead of the commercial run, is expected to commence in the last week of November.
The CRS is already perusing the documents sent by the CMRL. The inspection requires a week. “We expect it to end by the first week of December. From there, the CRS will take another week to prepare the final inspection report. We can operate the metro train any time on receipt of the CRS report,” the officer added.
The roof works are scheduled to be completed in little over a fortnight. Once the CMO fixes the date, the finishing touches, which includes painting the station exteriors, will be done. All works, installation of lift, escalators, concourse area, security check gadgets and ticket vending have been completed.
“By mid-December, Marghazhi will start. So we may wait till Thai (till Pongal). Hopefully, by Pongal or around mid January, the inauguration will be scheduled. But that again has to be decided at Fort St Geroge,” CMRL officials reasoned.
Initially, the CMRL will operate trains for every seven minutes. The frequency will be increased based on the demand. At its peak, CMRL can increase the frequency to 2-3 minutes on the 10-km stretch, which will be covered in 20-22 mintues.
