Metro rail's first underground stretch between Nehru Park and Thirumangalam is steaming ahead and is likely to be fully operational by April 2017.
Work on the underground metro line is in its final stages, with Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) now looking for companies to provide security for stations along the 9km route beneath the chaos of the city's roads. CMRL officials said the line's extension, between Thirumangalam and Central, will be ready to roll by June 2017.
CMRL plans to finalise its security for the first underground line as part of an effort to have all other services required for the stations to be ready in time for the inauguration of the underground line on the stretch. Officials of CMRL said police would guard the stations and private security staff will frisk passengers, check their baggage and guide them through platforms.
CMRL has floated tenders for security services to cover nine underground stations from Chennai Central to Thirumangalam. This includes seven underground stations from Nehru Park to Thirumangalam, where it is currently installing signalling systems and preparing for official inspections.
While the company has completed construction of the Egmore metro station, work is still on at Chennai Central metro station. But metro rail officials are already floating tenders for services required at these two stations.
"When we float tenders for any service, it takes at least three months to find the right firm," a senior metro rail official said. "By floating tenders early, we hope to acquire security services around the same time as the line ready for operations."
Officials said security staff would require the working knowledge of the equipment needed like baggage scanners, detectors and security cameras. The company also expects staff members to be able to deal with passengers who try to enter paid areas of the station without valid tokens, prevent untoward incidents and possess expertise in first aid.
At least 20% of the security posted for security at the stations and the depot will be women.
Work on the underground metro line is in its final stages, with Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) now looking for companies to provide security for stations along the 9km route beneath the chaos of the city's roads. CMRL officials said the line's extension, between Thirumangalam and Central, will be ready to roll by June 2017.
CMRL plans to finalise its security for the first underground line as part of an effort to have all other services required for the stations to be ready in time for the inauguration of the underground line on the stretch. Officials of CMRL said police would guard the stations and private security staff will frisk passengers, check their baggage and guide them through platforms.
CMRL has floated tenders for security services to cover nine underground stations from Chennai Central to Thirumangalam. This includes seven underground stations from Nehru Park to Thirumangalam, where it is currently installing signalling systems and preparing for official inspections.
While the company has completed construction of the Egmore metro station, work is still on at Chennai Central metro station. But metro rail officials are already floating tenders for services required at these two stations.
"When we float tenders for any service, it takes at least three months to find the right firm," a senior metro rail official said. "By floating tenders early, we hope to acquire security services around the same time as the line ready for operations."
Officials said security staff would require the working knowledge of the equipment needed like baggage scanners, detectors and security cameras. The company also expects staff members to be able to deal with passengers who try to enter paid areas of the station without valid tokens, prevent untoward incidents and possess expertise in first aid.
At least 20% of the security posted for security at the stations and the depot will be women.