Choked roads highlight the need for Tambaram-Velachery link

Chennai Metro Rail plans to connect Tambaram and Velachery, easing traffic congestion and improving mobility for commuters.

Among the ambitious plans that Chennai Metro Rail Limited made for building a mass rapid transit system, there are some projects that commuters wait for with bated breath. Phase I has become a reality and Phase II is being implemented. Around the same time Chennai Metro Rail conducted a study for the Airport-Kilambakkam extension project to link the city with the southern suburbs of Pallavaram, Tambaram, and Kilambakkam, another study was done for linking Tambaram with Velachery. Similar to the Airport-Kilambakkam project, commuters want the authorities to take up the Tambaram-Velachery project without any further delay.

Initially, the Tambaram-Velachery project was planned to run about 15 km, covering crucial areas like Pallikaranai and Medavakkam. The feasibility report was submitted to the State government a few years ago. Three months ago, the project got a fresh lease of life and Chennai Metro Rail roped in a consultant to reassess the feasibility. A new travel demand forecast is being prepared to consider whether the line can be extended to Guindy or Little Mount. It was originally planned to end at the Velachery MRTS, but officials wanted to know whether an extension would help more commuters. When extended to Guindy or Little Mount, the length of the line would be 26 km, officials said earlier.

Sources said they were exploring ways to connect the Tambaram-Velachery line with the Phase II project and the Airport-Kilambakkam line.

A station is being built at Medavakkam as part of corridor 5 (Madhavaram-Sholinganallur) of Phase II. The Tambaram-Velachery line and the Madhavaram-Sholinganallur line (of phase II) can be connected at Medavakkam.

Similarly, there is a station at Tambaram in the proposed phase I extension from Airport to Kilambakkam. Hence, commuters will be able to have an interchange at Tambaram too. If these three lines are linked, mobility will significantly improve for those living in Tambaram, Pallikaranai, and Medavakkam neighbourhoods, commuters and residents say.

S. Balaji, a frequent commuter, says the Tambaram-Velachery line, when implemented, will benefit lakhs of people. “The traffic snarls are only increasing day by day in these areas, and it will be a boon to residents and commuters if the project is completed soon,” he adds.

Vidyasagar Jagadeesan, a civic activist, says there has been a drastic urbanisation and development in the past decade in most of these areas, and the government should take measures to ease congestion.