TN Govt to implement Metro Rail Project

Chennai, May 24 : The DMK Government will implement the Metro Rail Project on the lines of those in Delhi and Kolkata to manage the fast growing traffic in Chennai City.

Announcing this in his customary address to the newly constituted 13th State Assembly, Governor S S Barnala said the project would be implemented on the lines of similar projects in New Delhi and Kolkata.

The project was given a quiet burial by the previous AIADMK regime, which had pitched its support for the Mono Rail project on the lines of the existing system in Malaysia.

The Mono Rail Project drew widespread criticism from political parties, which described the project as not feasible.

Mr Barnala said a comprehensive infrastructure development plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area would be implemented to fulfil the growing infrastructure needs of the city.

''As a part of this plan, satellite towns will be established near Chennai. Similar towns will be established near other municipal corporation areas,'' he said adding the prestigious Perambur Flyover Project, which had come to a standstill, would be expeditiously completed.

He said the goverment would also urge the Centre to take urgent action on the Chennai Airport expansion plan to meet the ever increasing air passenger traffic.

To meet the drinking water needs of the city, a desalination plant would be established with the assistance already announced by the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre.

The Mini Bus Scheme, introduced during the previous DMK regime, would be revived and the government would accord priority for the efficient functioning of the public transport system.

UNI