Chennai Metro Rail’s Mega Plans, To Invest Rs 63000-Crore To Build 119 Stations In One Go

This one is a giant project. It is not just in terms of the capital cost. From the angle of its coverage too it is a mega one. Perhaps it is the first of the gargantuan size projects undertaken at one stretch in India. The Chennai Metro Rail is currently implementing a over Rs 63,000-crore phase II project to lay 116.1 km rail line with 119 stations in one stretch. Once fully functional, this will see the Chennai landscape change for the better and look completely different. Developing public transport of this kind — with underground and overground stations -– poses challenges of assorted kinds ranging from technical to environmental and logistics. Yet, the biggest challenge lies in making it an earning proposition for the Chennai Metro Rail, a joint venture between the Centre and the Tamil Nadu Government. Not surprisingly, Chennai Metro has hit upon an innovative way to explore non-fare revenue. It has joined hands with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation to float a joint venture. This JV will develop commercial properties around metro rail stations, on the lines of those done in some cities around the globe. If there is a will, there is a way. Well, Chennai Metro Rail appears to be on the right track!