Chennai Metro Phase-II: RVNL Begins Groundwork For Construction Of 10 Km Elevated Stretch For Corridor-3

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has commenced pre-construction activities as part of the Chennai Metro Phase-II development on 11 March 2023.

The groundwork has begun for building 10 km elevated viaduct and nine elevated metro stations for corridor-3, as per a metrorailtoday report.

The RVNL officials stated, "With regard to our latest Order win for construction of an elevated viaduct of 10 km and nine elevated metro stations in Chennai, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) identified 30 acres of land for the Casting Yard Depot and performed Bhumi Pujan on 11 March 2023".

RVNL is a government-owned agency responsible for implementing rail infrastructure projects.

The agency received letter of approval (LoA) on 10 January, 2023 — for the Rs 1,134 crore work order to construct the elevated viaduct, elevated metro stations and a stabling viaduct.

This development will be part of the purple line metro network which will span 45.8 km. The metro route connects Madhavaram Milk Colony to Siruseri SIPCOT 2.

It will have a total of 50 stations, which include 30 underground and 20 elevated stations.

According to reports, the nine stations proposed under the work order include Sholinganallur Lake, Ponniamman Temple, Sathyabama University, Semmancheri, Gandhi Nagar, Navallur, Siruseri, SIPCOT 1 and SIPCOT 2.

The tender notice for this contract package was issued in March 2022, with an estimated cost of around Rs 957 crore.

The Phase-II of the project includes three corridors, spread across a length of 118.9 km and consists of 128 stations, out of which 48 are underground.

It is expected to cost nearly Rs 61,843 crore and is projected to be completed by 2026.

Furthermore, Mitsui & Co Limited, Japan has been awarded a contract by the CMRL for supplying 60-kg head hardened 1080 grade rails at a cost of Rs 163.31 crore, as reported earlier by TOI.

The production of rails and testing procedures will commence in April 2023. As per an official release, the supply is planned in three lots from September 2023 to February 2025.

The rails will be utilised on corridor-3 between Madhavaram and Sholinganallur and on corridor-5 from Madhavaram to CMBT.