•Chennai Suburban Railway has enough scope
for earning revenue by extending to new areas and catering to more public. The
expansion will lead to easy travel across the city with ease and in turn reduce
pollution and less usage of own vehicles. The project is justified in the sense
the IT industry has done so much for development of city & GDP
•A distance of 26 km from Thiruvanmiyur to Kelambakkam which is a high demand route due to expansion of Chennai city and IT sector setting up offices along the OMR (old mahabalipuram road). This section if immediately surveyed and awarded project for new line will benefit a lot for office goers and enable seamless connectivity and help public avoid usage of own vehicles. The project along ECR will not be of any benefit to the IT employees or work force.
•The entire system can be done underground (since land acquisition on top is difficult and MRTS requires large pillars and like metro it cannot be done on single pillar but the BG line is bigger) and should be in broad gauge to enable better seamless connectivity. The cost of the project likely to be around and more than 7,000 crores. Extending the existing MRTS will be win-win situation for both centre and state and railways since metro laying in this region is not likely to be taken up in near future. The cost for above project should be raised by Railways by launching bonds if necessary post approval from railways, central govt and state and concerned agencies. The OMR road has very high demand and extending the MRTS will definitely lead to boom in the area in jobs and expansion of city. The project if taken up now can be completed by 2020 up to kelambakkam based on the development of the city post that it can be taken up for further increasing even above ground. The project cost of existing MRTS is shared by State and Central Govt under equity as per decade old methods of funding, but currently due to availability of funding from several global funds it should be easy to raise funds at lower costs to do the project with ease.
•If project done under ground it will not affect any widening of roads in future also. And also since state govt is planning for elevated highway due discussion with state govt in this matter will be of great help. Since elevate project is in survey stage only Railways can discuss with TN govt and request for extension for suburban to ease travel. It can be done above ground also along the median of OMR but stations will occupy lot of space and will be hindrance to movement of traffic. Even though under ground work causes delay of an extra 1 year in overall time but it will not prevent future expansion of highways. Railways and other concerned team can take decision based on comparison of Kolkata metro and other projects and also discussion with global agencies on how the project if taken up will benefit state govt, public, Central Govt, Railways, IT industry.
•The project if not feasible by railways can be taken up with Chennai Metro but it would be disconnected since the metro line is no where nearby to be extended to this region. If possible for Chennai Metro then consider extending the Alandur line to Kelambakkam via Velachery and OMR. But I don’t see Chennai Metro taken up initiative in next 10 years. Hence Railways and Govt must discuss with state govt to take up survey for this project. It would be wise if someone starts work on this section for pollution to reduce
•The remaining distance of 24 kms from Kelambakkam to Mamallapuram can be extended in the aim of connecting to Pondicherry in the future as Chennai – Pondicherry is a peak route which public & buses to travel along ECR. Since ECR is likely to be widened in future, Govt can consider implementing in 2nd leg based on demand.
•The Railways is also stuck up with the MRTS project near St. Thomas for around 8 years due to land acquisition problem for which the case is over and waiting for state govt to help in handing over land to Railways. The Central Govt ministers or Railway ministry must discuss with State Govt to enable hand over of land for railways to complete work. The 1 km non completion is causing public to take detour and several kms of bus travel needed to overcome this connection not getting fulfilled. Since all legal battles are over the concerned ministries and Central govt ministers must have word with state govt to enable completion which if completed will benefit several people. If necessary PM must also work with state govt to complete issue at earliest seeing the critical importance of the project. The govt after working out necessary modalities must allot funds in budget to complete. The funds needed for completion if land is acquired must be immediately released by Railway board for completion.
•Connecting of Chennai Park Town Station & Chennai Park Station to Chennai Central Railway station by moving walkway or direct foot over bridge to enable travellers to move with ease since the station are split by roads and traffic and people crossing roads to reach station has become difficult over years. The foot over bridge if constructed must be wide enough to accommodate sudden rush of passengers of entire suburban train. It can be wide enough of 10 metres or more and length is expected to be 300 metres or less. Water gets more stagnant at Chennai Central Station more during rainy days. Hence proper drainage system needed at Chennai Central entrance to prevent flooding during rain or take help from TN state sewage board.
•3rd terminal at Tambaram near Chennai is a demand for several decades now. Railways must consider operating new trains to Rameswaram, Trichy, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Gujarat. Since Royapuram as 3rd terminal was not possible it will be easy to make Tambaram as next hub. As space for yard development is possible either near Vandalur or Guduvanchery area or using existing suburban yard for long distance also by constructing multiple level yard which is much feasible instead of waiting for land acquisition or taking help from state Govt. The multilevel yard can be done by placing pillars inside yard area and creating 2 or 3 levels of train parking to enable maintenance of long distance trains and suburban trains with ease. Existing Tambaram can enable trains to travel to other parts of India as connectivity is well established and will prevent lack of platform issue at Chennai Egmore and central which can be overcome and not much investment needed just some public amenities needed to be improved with LED display at entrance on both sides of station and LED display of trains status and coach details on platforms will enable using of a platform which is available for usage. Development of multi level parking is also possible at Tambaram station for parking of bikes, cars and space for Call taxi and pre paid autos can be provided also with ease.
•The terminal at Royapuram near Chennai for long distance trains has not happened for several decades now. Railways must acquire land to construct new terminal to avoid bringing down existing terminal which is a heritage building. The Railways must consider working with State Govt by forming a separate team to engage with state Govt and concerned authorities at high level on weekly basis to sort out issues needed and split up cost to enable faster completion of new terminal for long distance trains since most trains wait during early morning for lack of platforms. Lack of platforms has lead to non feasibility for new trains. Hence developing Tambaram and Royapuram will help greatly. Announced in many budgets but ministry and board not engaging effectively with state Govt weekly and commitment
•A distance of 26 km from Thiruvanmiyur to Kelambakkam which is a high demand route due to expansion of Chennai city and IT sector setting up offices along the OMR (old mahabalipuram road). This section if immediately surveyed and awarded project for new line will benefit a lot for office goers and enable seamless connectivity and help public avoid usage of own vehicles. The project along ECR will not be of any benefit to the IT employees or work force.
•The entire system can be done underground (since land acquisition on top is difficult and MRTS requires large pillars and like metro it cannot be done on single pillar but the BG line is bigger) and should be in broad gauge to enable better seamless connectivity. The cost of the project likely to be around and more than 7,000 crores. Extending the existing MRTS will be win-win situation for both centre and state and railways since metro laying in this region is not likely to be taken up in near future. The cost for above project should be raised by Railways by launching bonds if necessary post approval from railways, central govt and state and concerned agencies. The OMR road has very high demand and extending the MRTS will definitely lead to boom in the area in jobs and expansion of city. The project if taken up now can be completed by 2020 up to kelambakkam based on the development of the city post that it can be taken up for further increasing even above ground. The project cost of existing MRTS is shared by State and Central Govt under equity as per decade old methods of funding, but currently due to availability of funding from several global funds it should be easy to raise funds at lower costs to do the project with ease.
•If project done under ground it will not affect any widening of roads in future also. And also since state govt is planning for elevated highway due discussion with state govt in this matter will be of great help. Since elevate project is in survey stage only Railways can discuss with TN govt and request for extension for suburban to ease travel. It can be done above ground also along the median of OMR but stations will occupy lot of space and will be hindrance to movement of traffic. Even though under ground work causes delay of an extra 1 year in overall time but it will not prevent future expansion of highways. Railways and other concerned team can take decision based on comparison of Kolkata metro and other projects and also discussion with global agencies on how the project if taken up will benefit state govt, public, Central Govt, Railways, IT industry.
•The project if not feasible by railways can be taken up with Chennai Metro but it would be disconnected since the metro line is no where nearby to be extended to this region. If possible for Chennai Metro then consider extending the Alandur line to Kelambakkam via Velachery and OMR. But I don’t see Chennai Metro taken up initiative in next 10 years. Hence Railways and Govt must discuss with state govt to take up survey for this project. It would be wise if someone starts work on this section for pollution to reduce
•The remaining distance of 24 kms from Kelambakkam to Mamallapuram can be extended in the aim of connecting to Pondicherry in the future as Chennai – Pondicherry is a peak route which public & buses to travel along ECR. Since ECR is likely to be widened in future, Govt can consider implementing in 2nd leg based on demand.
•The Railways is also stuck up with the MRTS project near St. Thomas for around 8 years due to land acquisition problem for which the case is over and waiting for state govt to help in handing over land to Railways. The Central Govt ministers or Railway ministry must discuss with State Govt to enable hand over of land for railways to complete work. The 1 km non completion is causing public to take detour and several kms of bus travel needed to overcome this connection not getting fulfilled. Since all legal battles are over the concerned ministries and Central govt ministers must have word with state govt to enable completion which if completed will benefit several people. If necessary PM must also work with state govt to complete issue at earliest seeing the critical importance of the project. The govt after working out necessary modalities must allot funds in budget to complete. The funds needed for completion if land is acquired must be immediately released by Railway board for completion.
•Connecting of Chennai Park Town Station & Chennai Park Station to Chennai Central Railway station by moving walkway or direct foot over bridge to enable travellers to move with ease since the station are split by roads and traffic and people crossing roads to reach station has become difficult over years. The foot over bridge if constructed must be wide enough to accommodate sudden rush of passengers of entire suburban train. It can be wide enough of 10 metres or more and length is expected to be 300 metres or less. Water gets more stagnant at Chennai Central Station more during rainy days. Hence proper drainage system needed at Chennai Central entrance to prevent flooding during rain or take help from TN state sewage board.
•3rd terminal at Tambaram near Chennai is a demand for several decades now. Railways must consider operating new trains to Rameswaram, Trichy, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Gujarat. Since Royapuram as 3rd terminal was not possible it will be easy to make Tambaram as next hub. As space for yard development is possible either near Vandalur or Guduvanchery area or using existing suburban yard for long distance also by constructing multiple level yard which is much feasible instead of waiting for land acquisition or taking help from state Govt. The multilevel yard can be done by placing pillars inside yard area and creating 2 or 3 levels of train parking to enable maintenance of long distance trains and suburban trains with ease. Existing Tambaram can enable trains to travel to other parts of India as connectivity is well established and will prevent lack of platform issue at Chennai Egmore and central which can be overcome and not much investment needed just some public amenities needed to be improved with LED display at entrance on both sides of station and LED display of trains status and coach details on platforms will enable using of a platform which is available for usage. Development of multi level parking is also possible at Tambaram station for parking of bikes, cars and space for Call taxi and pre paid autos can be provided also with ease.
•The terminal at Royapuram near Chennai for long distance trains has not happened for several decades now. Railways must acquire land to construct new terminal to avoid bringing down existing terminal which is a heritage building. The Railways must consider working with State Govt by forming a separate team to engage with state Govt and concerned authorities at high level on weekly basis to sort out issues needed and split up cost to enable faster completion of new terminal for long distance trains since most trains wait during early morning for lack of platforms. Lack of platforms has lead to non feasibility for new trains. Hence developing Tambaram and Royapuram will help greatly. Announced in many budgets but ministry and board not engaging effectively with state Govt weekly and commitment
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