Jaya flags off first phase of Chennai metro

The first phase of the much anticipated multi-crore Metro Rail chugged into the city today, with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa flagging off the inaugural service steered by a woman driver.

Jayalalithaa launched the services on the Alandur-Koyambedu sector by flagging it off from the state secretariat through live video, throwing open to the public a mass rapid transport system.

The route dedicated to the public is an elevated structure covering a distance of 10.15 km, consisting of Alandur, Ekkathuthangal, Ashok Nagar, Vadapalani, Arumbakkam and Koyambedu Railway stations besides the yard at the last stop, a state government release here said.

The route of the train has been mainly on the busy 100 ft road and would cater to lakhs of commuters when fully completed.

The first train having four coaches, which left at 12.15 PM from Alandur to Koyambedu was driven by A Preethi, a 28- year-old diploma holder in engineering from Government Dharmambal Polytechnic College here.

The flower decked sprawling and swanky Alandur metro station, the biggest in Chennai, was brimming with activity, with enthusiastic passengers eager to board the first train.

"I wanted to board the first metro train, I hope metro makes travel easier and a pleasure," said K Ramesh a young executive.

The 45 km Metro Rail project is estimated to cost Rs 14,600 crore and would cover two routes-- the 23.085 km Wannarapet to Airport section-- and the 21.961 km stretch from Chennai Central to St.Thomas Mount.

Of the total expenditure, Centre's contribution is 15 percent as share capital and five percent as loans, while that of the Tamil Nadu government is at 15 percent in share capital and 5.78 percent as loans, the release said, adding the state has released its entire share of funds.

The rest 59.22 percent has been sourced as loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the release said.

A sum of Rs 1143.31 crore had been spent on the scheme between 2007-08 and 2010-11 and an additional Rs 9608.63 crore from that year till date, it said adding a total sum of Rs 10,751.94 crore was the expenditure since work commenced on the Metro rail activity. 

Meanwhile, senior Chennai Metro Rail officials said the train system has adequate safety mechanisms and amenities, including for the disabled.

The first and last coach of every train has two slots for the disabled and wheel-chairs are also available in every station, they said, adding physically challenged can access stations through ramps from the entrance of the stations.

While each four coach train can carry 1,200 passengers, it could also be converted to six bogies as when required, depending on increasing passenger-traffic, they said.
On availability of trains, officials said 42 pairs of trains are needed for the entire 45 kilometer stretch, of which more than 50 per cent of trains have arrived.

"We have enough trains to take care of the present 10 km stretch in which services have commenced," one of the officials said.

"Of the total 21 elevated stretches we have completed 10. The Koyambedu depot will take care of corridors I and II operations," he added.

Though the speed will be maintained at 34 km per hour on an average at present, the train has a capacity to go up to 80 km per hour. It will stop at every station for 30 seconds on an average. The stations and train network are monitored through CCTVs.

"All platforms have 42 CCTVs and are monitored at the station control rooms, besides from the operational control centre at Koyambedu," the official said.

Though passengers were excited about the commencement of services, some expressed reservations that the fare for the longest distance has been fixed at Rs 40.

Commenting on the fares, an official said the fare was calculated based on various factors, including costs. He said it had also factored in facilities like air conditioning.

"From Alandur to Koyambedu the fare is Rs 40 for a 10 km stretch. I think this is high," said a passenger.

The first train starts at 6 AM and the last at 10.03 PM.