In his budget speech, the finance minister aid global bids have been invited for implementing Phase I of the Chennai monorail project. “The first phase, estimated at the cost of Rs 8, 500 crores, will cover 57 km, consisting of three sectors – Vandalur to Velachery via Tambaram East, Poonamallee to Kathipara via Porur and Poonamallee to Vadapalani via Valasaravakkam.”

This will be followed by Phase-II covering 54 km of the fourth corridor connecting Vandalur and Puzhal. Earlier, the government had proposed to implement the scheme on four corridors covering 111 km at an estimated cost of Rs 16, 500 crore.

Chennai metro rail project is also progressing fast. The government will also take necessary steps for the transit-oriented development of the mass transport corridors like Anna Salai and E.V.R. Periyar Salai and maximize the access to public transport.