A detailed feasibility study for extending Phase 2 of the Chennai Metro Rail system will be ready soon.
The Tamil Nadu state government announced its plan last year to expand the existing 118.9-km Phase 2 Metro Rail project by an additional 93 km.
The expansion would cover vital locations like Kilambakkam, Kelambakkam, Avadi, and Parandur, where the proposed second airport is located.
Phase 2 of the project is underway on corridors 3, 4, and 5—Madhavaram to SIPCOT, Light House to Poonamallee, and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur.
The extended network will cover a total of 93 km and includes three stretches. These consist of a 50 km line from Poonamallee to Parandur, a 17 km stretch from Koyambedu to Avadi via Thirumangalam and Mogappair, and a 26 km stretch from Siruseri to Kilambakkam via Kelambakkam.
Officials from Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. recently confirmed that a contract had been awarded to a consultant for a study on whether the future transportation system for certain lines would be Metro or Metrolite.
The consultant has already begun the work, and the report is expected to be completed within the next three months. Afterwards, officials will gather feedback from stakeholders and hold meetings before submitting the final report to the government.
Only then will it be determined which system will be implemented for the aforementioned lines.
Officials said the report will cover everything, from system suggestions to travel forecast and financial models, The Hindu has reported.
A mass rapid transit system will connect Parandur, the site for a second airport, located 60 km from Meenambakkam airport.