Chennai: One of the long pending demands of the people of North Chennai became a reality with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa laying the foundation stone for the Chennai Metro Rail extension work up to Thiruvottiyur.
She laid the foundation stone for Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase-I Extension from Washermanpet to Thiruvottiyur/Wimco Nagar at a function at Tondiarpet here. Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu was present on the occasion.
Speaking after commencing the groundbreaking work for the project, Jayalalithaa thanked Venkaiah Naidu for getting the central government's nod for the extension work after the Tamilnadu government made a request in this regard.
Stating that the extension work of the Chennai Metro Rail Project is being implemented with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said the works, would be completed in three years.
She said the total cost of the extension work is Rs 3,770 crore and the length was 9.051 km. She said she is happy that the extension work also comes under her R K Nagar constituency, from where she was re-elected to the Assembly for a second consecutive term in the 16 May elections. The project will have eight Metro Rail stations and a depot.
She said train service from Little Mount to Airport will commence next month. It may be recalled that the train services on the Chennai Metro were launched by Jayalalithaa on 28 June last year from Alandur to Koyambedu.
The launch of train services under the Chennai Metro Rail Project (CMRP) has significantly eased the traffic congestion in Chennai city. She said the total project cost of the CMRP was Rs 14,600 crore.
The phase-1 of the CMRP would cover a 45-km stretch in the city. Designed as half underground and the rest elevated, one corridor was between Washermanpet and Airport and the other from Chennai Central to St Thomas Mount.
The stretch from Washermanpet to Saidapet on Anna Salai in Corridor-I and the stretch from Chennai Central to Tirumangalam in Corridor II would be underground and the remaining elevated. Following a request from the State government, the CMRP was now extended from Washermanpet to Thiruvottiyur/Wimco Nagar.
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today described Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu as the best friend of Tamilnadu. In her address, she said she was particular that he should attend today's event, as he was instrumental in getting the Central government's nod for the project.
Union Minister M Venkaiah Naid heaped rich laurels on the Tamilnadu government led by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. He said the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is impressed with the work done by Jayalalthaa and her council of Ministers. Despite economic slowdown, India remains a bright spot. And Tamilnadu is a bright spot in the country, he said, offering the Centre's full support to the State.
