To boost connectivity in Madurai, the Tamil Nadu government has proposed a Metro Rail project in the city. The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), which is the Project Executing Agency (PEA) for the Madurai Metro project, recently announced that a consultant would be appointed to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the project. It has floated a tender for preparing a DPR for the project. According to the CMRL, the DPR will be completed by June 2023.
In November 2022, CMRL submitted a detailed feasibility report (DFR) to the state government for constructing the Metro rail in Madurai, which was approved. The government has floated the tender for the project at the cost of Rs 3 crore.
Further, the CMRL Managing Director M A Siddique has said that a metro station at Madurai international airport will be planned under the second phase of the Madurai Metro Rail project. Construction work is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
In the final DPR for the metro project, a total of 27 metro stations are planned in the total 32-km corridor between Thirumangalam and Othakadai, according to CMRL MD M A Siddique. Earlier 18 stations were planned with a total length of 30 km. The route will include a five km of underground stretch and 27 km of elevated corridor. The DPR will be submitted on July 15, 2023.
Madurai Metro: Route and construction details
According to the CMRL, phase 1 of the Madurai Metro project will cover 31 kilometres, connecting Thirumangalam and Othakadai. A depot will be developed on a 45-acre area at Thirumangalam.
There will be 20 stations along the corridor, which includes Thirumangalam, Kappalur Toll Plaza, Dharmathupatti, Thoppur, Thirunagar, Thirupparankundram, Pasumalai, Vasantha Nagar, Madura College, Madurai Junction railway station, Simmakkal, Keezhavasal, Therkuvasal, Goripalayam, Police Commissioner’s Office, K Pudur, Mattuthavani, Uthangudi, High Court Bench and Othakadai.
The trains will have three coaches, operating at 25 km per hour and a maximum speed of 60 km per hour.
The CMRL has been entrusted with the task of hiring consultants to prepare feasibility reports and DPRs for constructing a mass rapid transit system in Madurai.
Of the 31-km route from Thirumangalam to Othakadai, 26 km section will be elevated. The stretch from Othakadai to Goripalayam will be elevated, while the section from Goripalayam to Vasantha Nagar will be underground. Another elevated section has been planned between Vasantha Nagar to Thirumangalam. The stretch from Goripalayam to Vasantha Nagar near Meenakshi Amman temple will be tunnelled under the Vaigai River. A metro station near the upcoming AIIMS hospital is under consideration.
According to CMRL, 14 stations have been planned on the elevated route and four stations underground. In the initial phase, the Madurai Metro services will be operated with three coaches at a frequency of five to ten minutes.
According to the DPR, two additional routes have been identified – Airport to Kattupulinagar and Manalur to Nagamala Pudukottai.
Under Phase 2 of the Madurai Metro Project, A metro link to the Madurai international airport will be planned.
A Metro station will be developed to connect the Madurai railway station, Periyar bus stand and Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Madurai Metro: Project timeline
- 2022: Detailed feasibility report (DFR) was submitted and approved
- 2021: Government of Tamil Nadu announced Metro rail project for Tier 2 cities, including Madurai
Madurai Metro: Cost
The Madurai Metro project will be implemented at the cost of Rs 8,500 crore project with central and state governments contributing 20% each and external financial institutions contributing 60%.
FAQ
What is the full form of CMRL?
The full form of CMRL is Chennai Metro Rail Limited.
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