Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has begun the critical groundwork for Coimbatore’s metro project with a significant milestone in the land plan survey (LPS). The corporation has issued a work order to the Coimbatore Corporation to initiate surveys along key corridors, marking the first major step towards realising the city’s long-awaited metro rail system.
The focus is currently on a 1.4 km stretch of Sathyamangalam Road, extending from Textool Bridge to Surya Hospital, where 75% of the survey work has already been completed. The LPS is crucial to determine the land requirements and the necessary shifts in infrastructure to make way for the metro rail project. The survey, which includes a digital assessment and utility mapping, has already successfully accounted for existing utilities such as drainage pipelines, water supply lines, electricity lines, gas pipelines, and telecommunication cables. Advanced techniques, including Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), have been deployed to ensure accuracy in mapping these utilities.
The completion of the survey will set the stage for the next phase, which involves calculating the costs of relocating the utilities, a crucial step before the physical construction can begin. A senior corporation official confirmed that these evaluations will soon be submitted to CMRL. The utility mapping on two other major corridors is also progressing, with a 20.4 km stretch from Ukkadam Bus Stand to Neelambur integrated station and a 14.4 km route from Coimbatore Railway Junction to Valiyampalayam Pirivu under review. These stretches will form the backbone of Coimbatore’s metro network, linking vital parts of the city to the broader infrastructure.
The Coimbatore district administration has shown strong commitment to the project, with Corporation Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran stating that the building valuation work on the Sathyamangalam Road stretch will be wrapped up within two weeks. Following this, the land acquisition process will commence, a necessary step for the metro’s progression. To facilitate further work, plans to establish a dedicated office for the metro project are underway, with approval from CMRL expected soon.
As the survey reaches its final stages, the next step will involve a high-level meeting with stakeholders from the Highways Department, CMRL, and the Public Works Department. This meeting will be crucial in addressing any challenges and reviewing the progress of the project. The completion of this phase will bring the city one step closer to realising its ambition of modernising its urban transport system, providing a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to the ever-increasing road traffic.
The metro project is seen as a critical part of Coimbatore’s urban development, not only offering a solution to the city’s growing traffic congestion but also contributing to its long-term sustainability goals. As Coimbatore looks towards a greener, more efficient future, the metro rail system will play an essential role in reducing carbon emissions, enhancing public transportation, and improving the overall quality of life for residents.
Coimbatore Metro Survey Work Progresses on Sathyamangalam Road
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