TN CM to inaugurate extention of MRTS train service

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Chennai, Nov 18 (UNI) After a delay of nearly two years, the much awaited elevated train services between Thiruvanmayur and Velachery under the 'Mass Rapid Transit System' (MRTS), would be inaugurated tomorrow, which was expected to reduce the ever increasing traffic congestion on the roads of this metropolis.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi will inaugurate the MRTS train service between Thiruvanmayur and Velachery in the presence of Union Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister T R Baalu and Minister of State for Railways R Velu, Chennai Mayor and other officials.

With this the commuters, would have train services upto Velachery from Chennai Beach station.

The extension of the MRTS elevated project upto Velachery from tomorrow, is expected to considerably ease the traffic congestion on the city roads. It also marked culmination of the phase two of the five phase project.

The first phase covering 8.66 km distance between Chennai Beach and Thirumayilai, was completed at a cost of Rs 269 crore. In the second phase the project was being extended from Thirumayilai to Velachery, of which train services upto Thiruvanmayur had already been launched.

The MRTS would be extended from Velachery to St Thomas Mount, St Thomas Mount to Villivakkam and Villivakkam to Ennore in the remaining three phases.

The project should have been completed two years ago but for a technical hitch, which almost derailed the project itself.

The Railways originally planned to have an elevated track from Thirumayilai to Taramani and surface line from thereon to Velachery.

As the soil was found to be soft in around Taramani and Perungudi, the railways had to go in for the elevated track upto Velachery, which took two more years for the project to complete.

Railway sources said the first train from Chennai Beach, would leave for Velachery at 0605 hrs and at 0650 hrs in the return direction.

To begin with six-car rakes would be operated at an interval of ten minutes during peak hours and 15-20 minutes gap during non-peak hours.

In all, the Southern Railway would operate 116 trips per day on the Chennai Beach-Velachery section, with limited services of 88 trips on Sunday at an interval of 20 minutes.

UNI

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