‘Extension of Metro Rail to North Chennai approved’
Chennai: Union minister for urban development M.. Venkaiah Naidu said on Thursday that approval has been accorded for extension of the Metro Rail project up to Tiruvottiyur in North Chennai. “I have just approved expanding Metro Rail for Chennai up to Tiruvottiyur Wednesday,” he told reporters.
Mentioning that a request was made by AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa seeking extension of the metro network when he called on her on September 5, he said a decision has been taken and the project extension has been approved.
Jayalalithaa had sought the Centre’s nod for extension of the Metro project from Washermenpet to Tiruvottiyur, over a distance of about 9 km.
“I am also aware that Thiruvottiyur is a highly congested area in North Chennai where people need public transport and it is important to encourage such public mode of transport considering challenges posed by climate change.”