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Metro rail fares cannot be reduced for next 3 years
Posted on: 02/Jul/2015 12:21:23 PM
Officials of Chennai Metro Rail said that the fare cannot be reduced for the next three years. The much-awaited Chennai Metro Rail was launched on Monday by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, from her office via video conference.
The first train steered by two lady drivers, started from Alandur and headed to Koyambedu, a 10.1-km stretch which takes an hour by road. The train covers the distance in 19 minutes, with a 30-second halt at each station. The service would be from 6 am to midnight. Each train in the Chennai Metro can carry 1,276 passengers. Seats are available for 176. Coaches are installed with LEDs and speakers.
The 45-km first phase, with 32 stations, was originally estimated at Rs 14,600 crore. Officials said it would have increased to Rs 20,000 crore. Of the project cost, the central and state governments would contribute around 20 per cent each; Japan International Cooperation Agency would fund the rest.
Project work began in 2007. Phase-I is to have two corridors, a 23.1-km stretch (Washermanpet to Airport) and another of 22 km (Chennai Central to St Thomas Mount). Officials say they hope the project will be complete by next year.
There is a general view that the ticket rates are high. When asked an official of CMRL about this, he said, The rates of the ticket have been fixed as per the guidelines of Urban Development and Housing minister. Hence the rate of the ticket cannot be reduced for the next three years. We cannot compare Delhi Metro with Chennai Metro because Delhi Metro was built in low budget. Similarly the Kolkata Metro is being handled by Indian Railways. 55% of the metro rail built in Chennai is underground. The cost is very high. Taking all this into account we have fixed the rate. The rates can be lessened, if the State Government can bear the loss.
