Chennai Metro extension: TN wants Centre's early approval.

The Centre should expedite approval of the corridor-I expansion of the Chennai Metro Rail project, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said.

An announcement on this extension should be made in the upcoming Union Budget, he said in his address at the pre-Budget meeting of State Finance Ministers with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Capital.

The extension of Corridor-I of Chennai Metro Rail project up to Thiruvottriyur and Wimco Nagar, covering a distance of 9.051 km, at an estimated cost of Rs. 3,253 crore, is pending approval of the Cenre.

The Chennai Metro Rail Project, which is a joint venture project between Tamil Nadu Government and Centre, is progressing well, Panneerselvam said, adding that it is the right time to embark on its further expansion. He also urged Jaitley to come out with a new comprehensive urban housing scheme in Budget 2015-16 with adequate funding so that the States does not lose further time in addressing this priority area.

The Centre, he said, should also provide adequate financial support in the Budget for a 150 million litres/day desalination plant in Chennai, proposed at a cost of Rs. 1,372 crore, under the new Urban Renewal Mission or any other scheme.


HBL