Chennai: Underground metro line likely to be opened next week

CHENNAI: The underground metro rail stretch from Koyambedu to Shenoy Nagar is likely to be thrown open to the public next week, sources in Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) have said. According to senior officials, the state chief secretary has communicated the approval of the line by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) to the secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development (MOUD). “The union minister of urban development, Venkaiah Naidu, had decided upon a date, but later communicated that he won’t be available on the same. Now, we have been informed that a new date will be decided for the inauguration,” said an informed official.

“It is likely to be opened next week as only the formal inauguration is pending. We are awaiting the Central government’s response so that it can be open soon,” the official added. On April 12, the CMRS and his team inspected the down line of 7.63km between Nehru Park and Koyambedu, and an up line of 4.54km between Koyambedu and Shenoy Nagar, and suggested the improvement of signage at the stations.

While there will be two tracks on the down line, only one track will be operational from Shenoy Nagar and Nehru Park. The underground stations will be having platform-screen doors, for the safety of commuters that would open only as the train doors open. Work on the stations is still going on, which is likely to be completed within a month or two.

Passengers, on the other hand, demand better signage at upcoming as well as the existing stations. “It is very difficult to traverse huge stations with bare minimum signage. I hope traversing the station premises becomes an easy task, as now it is an arduous task,” said Kritika Nair.