Latest news with #ChennaiMetroRail
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Metro line at Kathipara an engineering marvel: CM Stalin
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday described the Chennai Metro Rail constructions under way at Kathipara junction as an 'engineering marvel' during a site inspection of the elevated corridor. The project involves laying metro tracks directly atop the Kathipara flyover, marking a first for Indian infrastructure development. Stalin, who posted pictures of his visit on the social media, recalled the original flyover was built under the leadership of his late father and former chief minister M Karunanidhi, and has since stood as a symbol of the city's modernisation drive. 'Today, I inspected the work being carried out to lay Metro tracks, a first-of-its-kind in India, on top of the flyover,' he wrote. 'I have instructed that this engineering marvel be completed on time so that Chennai residents could soon enjoy a smoother urban commute.' The Kathipara intersection, one of Chennai's busiest, is being retrofitted to support the additional metro corridor as part of Phase II of the city's transit expansion plan.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Chennai: Pothole-ridden road in Anna Nagar raises traffic concerns
Commuters using the 13th Main Road at Anna Nagar in Chennai have raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of the stretch, which has become riddled with potholes and uneven patches. The situation has worsened in the recent weeks due to intermittent evening rains, leading to slippery surfaces that pose a risk to motorists, especially two-wheeler riders. The stretch connecting 2nd Avenue with 4th Avenue (Shanthi Colony), both arterial roads of Anna Nagar, has been a key route for vehicles diverted from the Thirumangalam junction following the commencement of Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project. Traffic from Ambattur and Mogappair heading towards Koyambedu is rerouted through the 15th Main Road and then onto 13th Main Road, resulting in a sharp spike in vehicular flow, particularly during morning and evening peak hours. Residents say that both roads were dug up for utility works a few weeks ago, but were never properly re-laid. 'Temporary fillings using loose materials have since eroded, leaving the surface bumpy and unsafe. The surface is extremely uneven. At nights, it becomes a nightmare to drive, especially on two-wheelers,' says S. Meera, a resident. Flanked by residential apartments, shops, banks, and other commercial establishments, the stretch has become heavily congested. 'Driving down the stretch is a test of patience. The intermittent evening showers cause water logging along the stretch and the traffic slows to a crawl,' says R. Nagarajan, a daily commuter. Residents and shopkeepers also highlighted the issue of encroachments, including unregulated parking and building materials piling up along the road, which further reduce space for vehicles and pedestrians. While they acknowledge that Greater Chennai Corporation has initiated pavement works for the benefit of pedestrians, they want stronger enforcement to prevent roadside dumping and unregulated parking. According to sources in the civic body, relaying work has begun, starting from the other end of the 13th Main Road. The remaining stretch will also be taken up soon, they added.
New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Biker killed as CMRL girders crash at Manapakkam in Chennai
CHENNAI: A biker was crushed to death after two I-girders, which were recently erected, collapsed on Thursday night at a Chennai Metro Rail construction site near the main gate of the L&T head office in Manapakkam. While the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and police officially confirmed the death of the biker, police sources said one more person could have gotten trapped under the girder. 'It is being ascertained whether the motorcycle had a pillion rider,' a CMRL statement said. The crash happened around 10.30pm along Corridor 5 of the Chennai Metro Phase II expansion project. According to CMRL officials, the girder, part of an elevated viaduct, came crashing down after one of its supporting frames slipped. Police fear one more person may be trapped under concrete girder In elevated metro construction sites, precast I-girders are usually lifted and placed between piers to form the base of the viaduct over which metro trains will run. Senior CMRL officials rushed to the site, and the statement from the agency said efforts to clear the mammoth concrete structure were under way on a 'war footing' in coordination with contractors.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Chennai Metro Rail to build leisure facilities, workplaces at Phase II's Thirumangalam station
Like Kokura Station in Japan or Chongqing in China, Thirumangalam station will emerge as a place where people can shop, dine, or work on one floor and then catch a ride on the Chennai Metro Rail network on another. In a couple of months, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) will start the construction of four towers in Thirumangalam. According to CMRL officials, they have floated bids for the massive project, which is located opposite to the Anna Nagar West Depot, near the Phase I Thirumangalam Metro station. Sprawling over 3.85 acres, the project will comprise the Phase II Thirumangalam Metro station and four towers. While Towers A and C will have three basements, a ground floor, and nine upper floors, the station will be in Tower B, which will have a ground floor and nine upper floors. Tower D will have a ground floor and two upper floors. In Tower B, the third floor will have the concourse and the platforms will be on the fourth floor. While ground floors will have retail and convenience stores in Towers A, B, and C, the first and second floors have been earmarked for commercial development similar to malls, and floors five to nine will have dedicated office spaces. T. Archunan, Director (projects), CMRL, said they drew inspiration from mass rapid transit systems in Japan. 'Kokura Station is a classic example for transit-oriented development. Based on the land availability, we are taking efforts to incorporate this strategy in as many locations as possible. But Thirumangalam will stand out as a great example for transit-oriented development since trains pass through buildings, making the commute seamless for people. All they have to do is switch floors to take the train,' he added. Manoharan Nambiar of Thirumangalam said that since there were apartments, a mall, and business establishments, the area suffered from traffic congestion both on weekdays and during weekends. 'Hence, two Metro Rail stations in Thirumangalam is a great boon to commuters. If commercial development and office spaces are planned alongside a mass rapid transport, it substantially improves mobility and does not add to congestion on the road,' he said. A. Shankar, India Head, Government Advisory and Infrastructure Solutions, Jones Lang LaSalle Property Consultants, said Metro systems across the world were being developed from the perspective of transit-oriented development. 'At a time when there is a great demand for office spaces, building them in the same tower with a Metro Rail system will be a great way to do it. Companies will prefer it and take them since they don't have to spend on providing transport for their workers,' he added. Sangami Nagarajan, an urban planner, said mix-use development always worked and would significantly aid in gradually nudging people to shift public transport in the future. 'Integrated development such as this are baby steps that will ensure that more people prefer public transport,' she added. 'Take for instance, the malls in the city. The one in Vadapalani has Metro Rail access, whereas the one in Velachery does not. Hence, the pressure on parking space is manyfold in the latter's case. Also, when stations are located close to the workplace or within the same tower, patronage for the transit system will be high, since people will readily opt for taking trains instead of their vehicles,' Ms. Nagarajan said.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Chennai Metro Rail Limited to incorporate leisure facilities, workplaces at Phase II's Thirumangalam station
Like Kokura Station in Japan or Chongqing in China, Thirumangalam station will emerge as a place where people can shop, dine, or work on one floor and then catch a ride on the Chennai Metro Rail network on another. In a couple of months, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) will start the construction of four towers in Thirumangalam. According to CMRL officials, they have floated bids for the massive project, which is located opposite to the Anna Nagar West Depot, near the Phase I Thirumangalam Metro station. Sprawling over 3.85 acres, the project will comprise the Phase II Thirumangalam Metro station and four towers. While Towers A and C will have three basements, a ground floor, and nine upper floors, the station will be in Tower B, which will have a ground floor and nine upper floors. Tower D will have a ground floor and two upper floors. In Tower B, the third floor will have the concourse and the platforms will be on the fourth floor. While ground floors will have retail and convenience stores in Towers A, B, and C, the first and second floors have been earmarked for commercial development similar to malls, and floors five to nine will have dedicated office spaces. T. Archunan, Director (projects), CMRL, said they drew inspiration from mass rapid transit systems in Japan. 'Kokura Station is a classic example for transit-oriented development. Based on the land availability, we are taking efforts to incorporate this strategy in as many locations as possible. But Thirumangalam will stand out as a great example for transit-oriented development since trains pass through buildings, making the commute seamless for people. All they have to do is switch floors to take the train,' he added. Manoharan Nambiar of Thirumangalam said that since there were apartments, a mall, and business establishments, the area suffered from traffic congestion both on weekdays and during weekends. 'Hence, two Metro Rail stations in Thirumangalam is a great boon to commuters. If commercial development and office spaces are planned alongside a mass rapid transport, it substantially improves mobility and does not add to congestion on the road,' he said. A. Shankar, India Head, Government Advisory and Infrastructure Solutions, Jones Lang LaSalle Property Consultants, said Metro systems across the world were being developed from the perspective of transit-oriented development. 'At a time when there is a great demand for office spaces, building them in the same tower with a Metro Rail system will be a great way to do it. Companies will prefer it and take them since they don't have to spend on providing transport for their workers,' he added. Sangami Nagarajan, an urban planner, said mix-use development always worked and would significantly aid in gradually nudging people to shift public transport in the future. 'Integrated development such as this are baby steps that will ensure that more people prefer public transport,' she added. 'Take for instance, the malls in the city. The one in Vadapalani has Metro Rail access, whereas the one in Velachery does not. Hence, the pressure on parking space is manyfold in the latter's case. Also, when stations are located close to the workplace or within the same tower, patronage for the transit system will be high, since people will readily opt for taking trains instead of their vehicles,' Ms. Nagarajan said.
