INDIA: Chennai Metro Rail Ltd has commissioned feasibility studies for three commuter lines in Tamil Nadu and detailed project reports into two proposed metro extensions.
Balaji Railroad Systems is to undertake feasibility studies for three Regional Rapid Transit System commuter rail corridors:
- Chennai – Chengalpattu – Tindivanam – Villupuram (170 km);
- Chennai – Kanchipuram – Vellore (140 km);
- Coimbatore – Tiruppur – Erode – Salem (185 km).
The proposals envisage that high-capacity trains running at 160 to 200 km/h would offer journey times between the city centres of 30 to 60 min, which would be much faster than the current travel times by road . The studies will look at surface, underground and elevated route options, and potential locations for multi-modal interchanges, other stations and depots.
Under a separate agreement, Systra MVA Consulting India is to prepare detailed project reports for a 7 km extension of Chennai metro Corridor 4 from Lighthouse to High Court and for a 21 km Tambaram – Guindy – Velachery corridor.
These reports will assess alignment options, ridership potential, multimodal integration and technical feasibility as the basis for informed decision making.
