Chennai to Get Lite Metro, CUMTA Invites Bids For Feasibility Study Under Comprehensive Mobility Plan

The 'Lite Metro' may be introduced to Chennai's public transportation system in the near future.

The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) is planning to conduct a preliminary feasibility assessment on executing the Lite Metro project in Chennai. 

Metrolite or Light Urban Rail Transit System differs from the Indian Railways network, in that, it is either an enhanced tram or a downgraded metro. 

On Monday (6 February), CUMTA invited financial bids for the feasibility study.

To reduce construction costs, the majority of the rail surface will be on ground (at-grade) and will have dedicated tracks isolated from the road, according to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).

According to Chennai Metro Rail managing director M A Siddique, the feasibility study under the comprehensive mobility plan would look at adopting Metrolite, which will interface with Chennai Metro rail and MRTS lines, as well as, measures to boost metro patronage.

Metrolite, which will cost roughly 40-50 per cent of metro rail, can connect Chennai metro rail lines in phase I and II, which are 5-6 km apart, according to Siddique.

For passenger capacity between 2,000 and 15,000, Metrolite trains with a maximum 12T axle load will be used, according to the CUMTA specifications. The train will have three non-separable coaches that can accommodate up to 300 passengers.

“Under the comprehensive mobility plan, we are studying whether Phase III metro will be a normal metro or Metrolite. This will be finalised under the study, for which the bids will be finalised in a day or two. Based on the study, metro rail will take up the project,” said CUMTA special officer I Jaykumar, reports The New Indian Express. 

CUMTA wants to reduce the usage of private vehicles, by connecting people to the public transportation system every 500 metres, added Jayakumar.

Chennai Metro

The Phase-I of Chennai metro consists of a 54.1 km network with two corridors — Corridor-1 from Wimco Nagar to Airport and Corridor-2 from Chennai Central to St Thomas Mount.

There are 41 stations of which 21 are underground and 20 elevated. The entire Phase-I is fully operational. 

Chennai metro expansion of Phase II is planned with a network length of 118.9 km with 128 stations.

It consists of three corridors, namely Corridor-3 from Madhavaram to SIPCOT (45.8 km), Corridor-4 from Lighthouse to Poonamalle Bypass (26.1 km), Corridor-5 from Madhavaram at Sholinganallur (47 km).