The stage is set for inauguration of the 10-km Chennai metro rail between Koyambedu and Alandur with the Ministry of Urban Development clearing the rail operations on a single line.

According to an official press release, at an inter-agency meeting chaired by the Minister of Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu it was decided to amend the Rules of 2013 to enable operations on single line metro sections pending commissioning of the other line. The amendment to these Rules was carried out in consultation with the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Law & Justice.

The amendment to the Rules of 2013 also benefits Chennai Metro enabling operations on the 2.88 km section between Ashok Nagar and Alandur after safety inspection, there by facilitating metro connectivity between Koyambedu and Alandur (7.22 km). This will be the first section of Chennai to become operational, said a release from the ministry.

Last month, the Commissioner for Metro Railway Safety SK Mittal completed the second part of his inspection of stations tracks and equipment. He inspected Koyambedu, CMBT, Arumbakkam, Vadapalani and Ashok Nagar stations and that of viaducts, electrical works, inspected escalators, lifts, station control room and registers maintained. The safety inspection is required for starting commercial operations. Mittal sent his clearance to the Railway Ministry, which in turn will pass it on to the Government of India for final clearance. This process will take a few weeks, sources said.

The CMRL, a public sector company implementing the project, started trial runs of a 10-km stretch of elevated section between Koyambedu and Alandur from last year.

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