Contracts have been awarded to construct the viaduct and stations from Tondiarpet to Wimco Nagar and with this the work on elevated stretch of phase I extension of the Chennai Metro Rail is all set to begin.

The contract to build six stations in the elevated stretch and the viaduct along this stretch of phase I extension – Tondiarpet, Toll Gate, Gowri Ashram, Thangal, Tiruvottiyur and Wimco Nagar – was won by NCC limited and Simplex Infrastructure limited. “This time we have separated the work in such a way so as to award two contracts so that the firms can finish the work without any delay,” an official told TOI. The stretch will be ready to be used by public by 2019.

With the tunneling work from Washermanpet to Korukkupet as part of phase I extension completed, the work on laying track and construction of cross passages, the pathway that passengers can take in times of emergencies, will be taken up. The phase I extension will have the underground stretch from Washermanpet to Korukkupet followed by an elevated corridor up to Wimco Nagar.

Once this stretch is completed, thousands of commuters from north Chennai will be greatly benefited and mobility will improve too, CMRL officials told TOI.

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