Love at first ride as Chennai Metro finally starts operation

     CHENNAI: After eight years in the making, a part of Chennai's biggest promise came to life on Monday when metro rail made its first run with passengers.

     Having flagged off by chief minister J Jayalalithaa through a video conference, the first four-rake train rolled out of the Alandur station at 12.14pm. As if watching the introductory scene in a Rajinikanth movie, those on the platform whistled and waved. Inside the air-conditioned coaches, the first set of passengers clicked selfies and gaped at the city which suddenly appeared different from the elevated track.

     The train reached Koyambedu at 12.35pm. This 10km stretch is part of the 45km network to be completed by the end of 2017. After the initial excitement, discussions veered towards the fare. "The minimum of Rs10 is fine, but the maximum of Rs40 is a bit too much," said R Prasad, who took the first ride. Metro rail officials reasoned that it was comparable to other metros, and that the comfort and speed justify the ticket price.

     Those getting a metro card would get a 10% discount on tickets. "You buy a card for Rs100 of which Rs50 is refundable. The remaining Rs50 can be used for trips and the card can be topped up," said a metro rail official.

     The service would start every day at 6am from Koyambedu and last train will leave the station at 9.40pm. Five trains would make 192 trips in the two directions.

     Excitement was palpable along the corridor right from the morning though it was only by noon that the chief minister entered the old cabinet room at the secretariat to do the honours. At 12.02, Jayalalithaa pressed a button, formally inaugurating Chennai Metro Rail. The facilities declared open include seven stations ? Koyambedu, Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, Arumbakkam, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar, Ekkattuthangal and Alandur ? and CMRL's depot at Koyambedu. The ten kilometre elevated stretch is part of the second corridor that runs for 22km from Chennai Central to St Thomas Mount.

     At least 30% of the total project cost, estimated at Rs14,600 crore, comes as share capital from the Centre and the state government. About 60% comes as loan from Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), while the rest is shared by the two governments. The previous DMK government spent Rs1.143.31 crore, while the present AIADMK government allocated Rs9,608.63 crore towards the project. "The operational efficiency which stood at 3% in 2011 has risen to 76% now," said a government release.

     Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Love-at-first-ride-as-Metro-finally-keeps-date-with-Chennai/articleshow/47873698.cms

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