Chennai: Airport metro link from mid-August

CHENNAI: Hopping on to a metro from Little Mount to the Chennai airport is just one step away with the 9-km corridor undergoing the mandatory inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). The line is likely to be thrown open to the public by mid-August. CMRS S. Naik on Thursday inspected the elevated corridor from Little Mount to Chennai Airport and is likely to give his report in a week’s time.

The inspection will continue on Friday as well. Once the CMRS gives his seal of approval, the Chennai Metro Rail Corporation Limited is free to throw open the line for public use anytime.

“I have inspected the airport station and Alandur. Two more stations are there. I am satisfied with the total scheme of things,” he said. “It will be done sooner than you expect, hopefully,” he said to a query on whether commercial operations would begin by next month end.

The CMRS, who is the final authority in rail safety, inspects the safety and security of the corridor by travelling on the Metro train. He also inspected the station and facilities there. The daylong inspection is the last in the slew of approvals needed to throw open the line for public use. After receiving the approval, CMRL, a joint venture of the Tamil Nadu and Union governments, will decide the date for the launch of operations. Sources said the line is likely to be thrown open to public in mid-August.

With this line being open, commuters will be able to travel from Koyambedu to Chennai airport without having to change at Alandur as metro will be taking a service loop line at Alandur. “If the prices are not hiked, I would be more than happy to beat the traffic and reach Airport from CMBT,” said a commuter C. Ramakrishnan.