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New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Centre releases Rs 3,000 crore for CMRL Phase 2 in 2025-26
CHENNAI: The union government has released Rs 3,000 crore so far this financial year towards Chennai Metro Rail's Phase 2 project, according to a Right to Information (RTI) response accessed by TNIE. The funds, disbursed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as of July 28, form part of a total outlay of Rs 8,445.8 crore earmarked for the project in 2025-26 — the single-largest allocation for any metro project across the country this year. The release includes the full equity contribution of Rs 1,841.2 crore, Rs 158.8 crore in subordinate debt, and Rs 1,000 crore in pass-through assistance (PTA) from external agencies, according to the ministry's reply to RTI petitioner Dayanand Krishnan. A senior official with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) said the centre had already released approximately Rs 5,400 crore before March 2025, following the formal approval of Phase 2 as a central sector scheme in October 2024. 'The Rs 3,000 crore includes funds received during April and May. In total, Tamil Nadu has received around Rs 8,400 crore so far. It's not disbursed in tranches — funds are released as and when needed,' the official said. Spanning 118.9 km across three corridors, Phase 2 is one of India's largest ongoing urban mobility investments. Its reclassification as a central sector scheme last year has unlocked direct funding from the union government, after years of procedural delays. The steady flow of funds is expected to ease financial pressure on the Tamil Nadu government, which has been seeking continued central support for its expanding mass transit infrastructure. The large allocation also signals the strategic and political significance of the project, with Chennai emerging as a key node in India's urban transport agenda. RTI activist Krishnan, who has closely tracked metro funding in Tamil Nadu, urged the union government to expedite approvals and funding for three pending proposals from the state: A new corridor linking Chennai Airport to Kilambakkam, and greenfield metro projects in Madurai and Coimbatore. Concrete moves Release includes equity of Rs 1,841 cr, Rs 158 cr subordinate debt, Rs 1K c assistance from external agencies In total, Tamil Nadu has received around Rs 8,400 crore so far, says official 118.9 km across 3 corridors; Phase 2 is one of India's largest urban mobility projects
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Centre releases Rs 3,000 crore for Chennai Metro Phase 2 in current financial year
CHENNAI: The Union government has released Rs 3,000 crore towards the Chennai Metro Rail Phase 2 project in the current financial year, according to a Right to Information (RTI) disclosure. The funds, disbursed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as of 28 July, are part of a total central outlay of Rs 8,445 crore for the Chennai project this year. The release includes the full equity contribution of Rs 1,841.2 crore, Rs 158.8 crore in subordinate debt, and Rs 1,000 crore in pass-through assistance sourced from external loans, as per the ministry's reply to RTI activist Dayanand Krishnan. The Chennai Metro's Phase 2, spanning 118.9 km across three corridors, is one of the largest metro infrastructure investments currently underway in India. After years of bureaucratic delays, the project was formally approved as a Central Sector Scheme in October 2024, significantly altering the funding model and accelerating central support.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Amrit Bharat Express rake remains unused for 4 months
Chennai: Several railway zones have rolled out Amrit Bharat Express trains on high-demand routes, but the rake allotted to has remained unutilized since Feb when it was handed over by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Official documents accessed through the Right to Information (RTI) Act confirm that the fully assembled superfast push-pull rake — designed for long-distance, non-AC travel — was allotted to Southern Railway as the first rake built at ICF. Since Feb, it has remained idle, reportedly stabled at locations within the zone such as Thiruvottiyur or Naidupeta, with no route finalized and no operational surveys completed. Amrit Bharat Express services, already running on the Darbhanga-Delhi, Malda-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Saharsa routes, are designed to ease crowding on popular long-distance trains. Each train has 22 coaches, with the composition modified after parliamentary feedback to include more unreserved coaches. So far, 10 rakes have been produced — eight at ICF and two at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala — with allocations made to zones including northern, north central, eastern, eastern central, and central railway. There is no clarity from Southern Railway on what plans it has. Popular trains such as Coromandel Express and Howrah Mail are running packed, especially with heavy migrant worker traffic. Amrit Bharat, envisioned as a more accessible alternative to Vande Bharat with non-AC coaches and quicker turnaround, could have eased the load on these overcrowded trains, say rail users. Railway activist Dayanand Krishnan, who filed the RTI to bring the issue to light, said, "Instead of wasting the rake on a low-speed long route, it can be deployed on Tambaram–Tenkasi, where demand is high. The engines can run at 130kmph and two services a day are possible." After a video surfaced recently showing the Amrit Bharat rake with Southern Railway markings travelling towards New Delhi, TOI contacted Southern Railway general manager R N Singh. He did not respond to queries.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- The Hindu
Launched in April, AC suburban train services fail to attract commuters
The first air-conditioned suburban train service, launched by the Southern Railway in April, has failed to garner positive response from the commuters, despite the sweltering heat. The 12-car AC electric multiple unit (EMU), operated on the Beach-Chengalpattu via Tambaram route, does not carry even half the sitting capacity (1,120 persons), with the average patronage being only 1,500 commuters per day. While the Metro services in the city reach full capacity during peak hours, the AC EMU is yet to touch even 50% of its total carrying capacity (3,798 persons). The AC EMU services were allotted to the Chennai Division after several a second unit is expected. Designed like Metro trains with automatic door system, the EMUs have vestibular coaches, stainless steel seats, and fans for additional air circulation. On one hand, commuters point to the high fare, while on the other, transport activists attribute the lukewarm response to poor planning of operations. Dayanand Krishnan, a train enthusiast and resident of Chitlapakkam, cites the exorbitant fare as the probable reason for poor patronage. In a petition to the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Mr. Krishnan sought reduction of the fare, which has been fixed at ₹85 from Beach to Tambaram, and ₹105 from Chengalpattu to Beach. Comparing the city's AC EMUs with the Vande Metro operating from Bhuj to Anjar in Gujarat, he said the latter, which had a far better technology with ergonomic seats, charged only ₹55 for a 42-km ride as against the ₹85 for a 30-km ride between Tambaram and Beach. While the minimum fare is fixed at ₹35 for up to 10 km, the monthly season ticket price is fixed at ₹2,115 from Beach to Chengalpattu, and ₹1,705 from Beach to Tambaram. Regular commuters said better planning of operations could increase patronage of the services. At present, the AC EMU, which is attached to the Tambaram shed, is being operated on a longer route — from Beach to Chengalpattu — involving a travel time of more than one-and-a-half hours. It is also operated for 10 services only. T. Raghunathan, a regular suburban commuter from Perungalathur, said they should be operated as short services from Tambaram to Beach rather than till Chengalpattu. He called for more services during morning and evening peak hours, parallel to the suburban services, which are usually jam-packed. The commuters also want the AC EMU services to be operated on the west section, at least between Beach and Avadi. A senior official of the Chennai Division said the AC EMU fare had been fixed based on ones charged for AC train services in Mumbai. He added that they would examine the feasibility of operating more services from Beach to Tambaram.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Tambaram seeks 1,241 cr for UG sewage project
Chennai: Nearly eight months after the Madambakkam lake was found contaminated with faecal matter, Tambaram corporation informed the (NGT) that it needs 1,241.32 crore from the Tamil Nadu govt to begin constructing underground sewerage lines for Zone 5 colonies. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The project is yet to be approved, and even if financial sanction is granted, it will take at least two more years to complete — a timeline that has angered residents who still depend on the polluted lake for drinking water. In its June 3 order, the NGT questioned the absence of interim measures and directed the corporation to file a report explaining how sewage outfalls into the lake have been plugged. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), whose 2024 lab report found high levels of faecal and total coliform in the lake, was ordered to inspect all surrounding buildings and initiate action against any fresh contamination. The Board earlier served a showcause notice after repeated violations and inaction. NGT also sought clarity on the layout of a private project near the lake, where the state water resources department (WRD) has now suggested a peripheral drain with a 3-metre setback to allow the lake's foreshore runoff to pass through safely. The developer was directed to submit a detailed drainage map showing how this water will be diverted back into the lake. The Tribunal noted that the layout is not inside the lake but hydraulically connected to it, making the proposed micro-drain of at least 1.80m x 1.90m essential. While Tambaram e corporation cited a pending detailed project report, the NGT observed that no updates were received on earlier directions, including one from January 2025 to submit building permits and environmental clearance details for the same site. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The collector was also asked to verify whether the Madambakkam lake features in the National Wetland Atlas — a detail critical to determining protection under wetland rules. With no water treatment plant in place and residents still dependent on overhead tank chlorination, the NGT has warned of stricter action if further delays persist. The matter has been posted for final hearing to July 3. Instead of waiting for the 1,241 crore, the govt should clear the 14.5 crore proposal for intercepting and diverting sewage outfalls around Madambakkam lake through peripheral channels, along with the 3.5 MLD sewage treatment plant — a plan submitted by Tambaram corporation nearly seven months ago, said Dayanand Krishnan, a resident-activist from Tambaram. The 4.6 crore proposal for a water treatment plant should also be prioritised, he added.
