The Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) has been assigned the responsibility of hiring consultants to carry out feasibility reports and detailed project reports (DPRs) required for the construction of a mass rapid transit system for two cities, in response to the significant rise in traffic congestion.
Coimbatore: Detailed project reports (DPRs) for two proposed mass rapid transit projects Coimbatore and Madurai Metros — will be completed by June-end, according to the officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).
In consideration of increased traffic congestion, the CMRL was charged with hiring consultants to conduct both feasibility reports and DPRs for creating a mass rapid transit system for the two cities.
In Madurai, the feasibility report suggested a 31-km network to connect Othakadai with Tirumangalam, and in Coimbatore, a stretch of about 40 km was planned with two corridors in phase I: from PSG Foundry to Ukkadam Bus Stand and from Collectorate to Valiyampalayam Pirivu.
For Madurai, the feasibility report was submitted to the State government a few months ago and following further directions from the government, the DPR work commenced.
However, in the instance of Coimbatore, despite the completion of the feasibility report and the DPR, authorities in the State government conducted discussions and determined that a number of adjustments needed to be made, and re-modification of the DPR began some months ago.
According to CMRL officials, discussions with stakeholders from various departments have taken place in both cities in the last few months.
"The DPR work is almost finished, and the reports will be ready by the end of this month." They will be filed to the State government as usual, and if accepted, land acquisition, utility diversion, and construction work will begin in the coming years," an official stated.