CMRL to build small metro depot at SIPCOT to cut costs

10 May 2023 CW Team

As part of the phase II plan, Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) would erect a modest depot with fundamental amenities at SIPCOT.

With 128 stations and a network length of 118.9 km, Metro Phase II growth is anticipated.

It consists of three corridors: Corridor-3, which runs 45.8 km from Madhavaram to SIPCOT; Corridor-4, which runs 26 km from the Lighthouse to the Poonamalle Bypass; and Corridor-5, which runs 47 km from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur.

The CMRL had planned to build its largest depot at Madhavaram as well as two more depots at Poonamallee and SIPCOT. To bring project costs down from Rs 80,000 crore to Rs 61,843 crore, they chose to abandon plans for the SIPCOT storage.

Both Wimco Nagar and Koyambedu have two active depots.

As part of the phase II project, CMRL authorities intend to build a depot for corridor 3, which connects Madhavaram and SIPCOT. For Corridors 5 and 4, respectively, Madhavaram and Poonamallee will each see one depot built.

The location of the SIPCOT depot will be chosen as soon as its plans are complete. It will include a washing plant, eight to ten stabling lines, and inspection and repair lines.

Following design clearance, bids will be requested, with a price tag of between Rs180 and Rs200 crores, according to a CMRL official.

In order to ensure convenient emergency evacuation routes as well as easy access to transit, metro stations are normally constructed to be spaced every 1 km apart.

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