Monorail work set to commence before Pongal

Chennai

Chennai: After she returned to power in 2011, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa allotted Rs 200 crores for the Monorail project in the 2014-15 budget. Global tenders were released for work on two lines ñ from Kathipara to Poonamallee with a link line from Porur to the Vadapalani stretches. The Centre granted formal approvals for the Rs selected monorail operating companies, Scomi of 3,400-crore project. Many companies showed interest in the tender, however, but the State government Tamil Nadu government allocated Rs 200 crore towards the monorail project in 2014-15. Authorities will focus first on the Kathipara to Poonamallee stretch Monorail Phase-I Total length: 20.68 km No. of stations: 16 Poonamallee  Phase-II Total length: 23 km No. of stations: 18 CMRL Vadapalani Porur Kathipara Velachery Vandalur Malaysia and Chongqing  Metro of China. Both firms will soon revert with a list of specifications that have been sought of them. Sources say the government may go in favour of Scomi, which has already worked on the Mumbai Monorail Project and has enough experience in this domain. When contacted, an official said the right company would be chosen soon.


According to sources, the authorities will first focus Kathipara to Poonamallee with a link of 20.68 km from Porur to Vadapalani.The 57-km stretch that she proposed in 2001 when she took over as CM envisaged a 23-km distance in the first phase between Vandalur and Velachery, 16 km in the second phase between Poonamalle and Kathipara Bridge. It was put on hold and the Metro Rail project begun when the DMK came to power in 2006.Those living on the outskirts of Chennai are looking forward to the Monorailís completion as it will improve connectivity to the city.