Syed Munir Hoda appointed Chairman of Chennai Metro Rail Ltd

Chennai, Nov 20 (UNI) Secretary to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Sayed Munir Hooda, was today appointed as Chairman of ''Chennai Metro Rail Limited'', the special purpose vehicle jointly set up by the State government and the Centre for the purpose of implementing Metro Rail Project in the city.

Mr Hoda, who became the Secretary of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, after the DMK came to power in May last year, was being relieved and he would take up the new post in a couple of days.

''I will take up the post in couple of days. It is a Rs 13,500 crore project, comprising three phases, being implemented to develop the public transport system and make it efficient,'' he said to UNI.

He said the detailed feasibility report prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation was ready and he would be able to say when the work would commence only after assuming the office.

The project had been designed to comprise two corridors-one extending from Washermenpet in north Chennai to Meenambakkam airport via Egmore and Teynampet and another from Fort St George to St Thomas Mount via Anna Nagar, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar and Alandur.

The state Cabinet recently gave approval to the project, envisaged to ease traffic congestion in the metropolis.

The government had decided to seek financial assistance and loan from the Centre to implement the project.

Besides, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation was also expected to fund the project.

Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram had said the Centre would provide required funds to the State government for implementation of the Rs 9,757-crore (two corridors) Metro Rail Project.

The Centre would fund the project on the lines of the financial assistance extended to the Metro Rail Projects in Bangalore and Hyderabad, he had added.

UNI