Even as construction is set to commence on a part of the ambitious 118.9km phase-2 metro rail in June 2020, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has begun scouting for a general consultant with the required expertise and oversee the construction of another portion of the corridors.
CMRL has called for expression of interest from firms to work as a general consultant for corridor-4 of phase-2. The corridor will be from Lighthouse to Poonamallee bypass covering 26.1km. Officials said tenders for construction of the corridor are likely to be floated in two months. “CMRL will require more than 30,000 people to execute such a massive project. A general consultant will bring in the experts required from across the world during various stages of construction, since CMRL being a government agency won’t be able to do it on its own,” an official said. This comes after China-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank agreed to fund the construction of a part of corridor-4 between Meenakshi College and Poonamallee bypass. Officials said construction of the rest of the corridor from Lighthouse to Meenakshi College will be funded by Asian Development Bank.
While construction will begin initially on the 52km line between Madhavaram and Sholinganallur and from Madhavaram to CMBT, which are part of corridors 3 and 5, in June 2020, construction for corridor-4 is likely to begin a few months later. If work progresses without delays, officials said the phase may be ready for operations by 2026.
The corridor, which cuts across the heart of the city, links many core localities like Mylapore, Nandanam, T Nagar, Kodambakkam and Vadapalani with suburban areas like Porur, Kattupakkam, Kumanan Chavadi, Karayanchavadi and Poonamallee, which have relatively poor public transport connectivity. The corridor is also called ‘orbital corridor’ as it links the rest of the corridors in phase-1 and 2.
“Our detailed design consultant is on the job. Soil test has been done. Construction tenders are likely to be floated in two or three months,” an official said on the work on the line between Meenakshi College and Poonamallee bypass.
General consultants will assist in reviewing the detailed designs submitted by contractors, monitoring construction through all stages – from foundation laying to installation of signalling and electrical systems as well as suppliers and manufacturers, quality control and safety, contract management for the project, planning operation and maintenance and training personnel.