Chennai Metro's underground stretch will be ready soon.

Chennai Metro Rail's first underground network stretch will finally be ready for the ride by next month.

According to sources in Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), they are likely to open the 7.6 km stretch from Thirumangalam to Nehru Park by mid April. “We have planned to open it soon after the model code of conduct is lifted after the election process is completed. We will be ready by then. But the actual date of inauguration is subject to the confirmation from the State government and the availability of authorities who will inaugurate it,” an official said.

Before the launch, this stretch needs a final approval from Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) and that is scheduled to take place in the last week of March or first week of April. CMRS officials said they had sought some additional information and documents from CMRL and if it reaches them on time, then the testing will be over in the last week of March. The final certification comes within a few days or about a week after the inspection.

Sources said they had received the other mandatory approval from Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO).

At present, trial run of trains is in progress and other testing procedures are also being carried out. There are seven stations along the route -Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar Tower, Anna Nagar East, Shenoy Nagar, Pachaiyappas College, KMC and Nehru Park.

Chennai Metro Rail, built at a cost of ₹14,600 crore, opened its first service in the elevated stretch from Koyambedu to Alandur in June 2015. A year later, the stretch was extended upto St. Thomas Mount and an another elevated stretch between Little Mount and Chennai airport too was launched.

Unlike the two elevated stretches, the underground stretch will have completely airconditioned stations.

THE HINDU