Chennai underground metro line to be ready soon

CHENNAI: Chennai will get its first underground metro rail service, in the first quarter of 2017. Running at an 8 km stretch from Koyambedu to Nehru Park, at least 70 per cent of Phase-I of the service will be operational. In a trial run conducted last week, a four-car train crossed the elevated line at Koyambedu metro station through a ramp connecting the underground tunnel. "90 per cent of the construction work is complete on the stretch. The rest would be done in the next four months. By the first quarter of next year, the line will be open to the public," said VK Singh, CGM, underground and constructions. From Thirumangalam, the line is underground till Nehru Park cutting across the Poonamallee High Road at a depth of 18 metres.