Dumb idea. How will they enforce this ? They could give different colour tokens I guess, but that will be hard to check in crowded conditions. And what about people who pay by smart cards ?

^^ +1 dumb idea of having classes ... Not possible for proper enforcement.

I think you guys are reading too much into it.

It just appears that a section of the driver motor car (which makes it 2 in Chennai's 4/6 car config) will have better and more seating, compared to the rest of that coach and the other coaches which will have the standard longitudinal seating. That's it.

There won't be a different fare structure (otherwise it would have been reported by now) and this first class section will be open for everyone to use based on the availibility of seats. That's just how I see this panning out.

The only issue I see with this is that people might start crowding at the platform where these coaches (1st and last cars) would be expected to arrive instead of standing at a random location and getting into the nearest coach.

I think you guys are reading too much into it.

It just appears that a section of the driver motor car (which makes it 2 in Chennai's 4/6 car config) will have better and more seating, compared to the rest of that coach and the other coaches which will have the standard longitudinal seating. That's it.

There won't be a different fare structure (otherwise it would have been reported by now) and this first class section will be open for everyone to use based on the availibility of seats. That's just how I see this panning out.

The only issue I see with this is that people might start crowding at the platform where these coaches (1st and last cars) would be expected to arrive instead of standing at a random location and getting into the nearest coach.

Dubai has 2 types of coaches , the first one is better than the other.
Between they can always have turn-styles to move the sections separately and keep them separate while entering but its painful execution.

So there is no LCD screen displaying the next station, how much time does it take, which exit to take where, and also nearest elevator/lift. Also if LCD screens are available, they can make revenue using Ads. as well.

From the Preliminary Information Memorandum (http://www.chennaimetrorail.gov.in/tenders/PIM_OM-EOI.pdf) released by the CMRL:
Metro will start operating with 4 car trains (approximately 1000 passenger capacity). Of the 4 cars, part of each driver car is demarcated as First class. Based on ridership demand, CMRL envisages to move on to a 6 car train operation (approximately 1500 passenger capacity).

This is a fairly recent and comprehensive document on the CM but there's nothing to suggest a different fare structure of any kind. If enforcing the correct usage from coach to coach would be challenging then I'm not sure how they'll manage to do that within the coach itself - provided that there will be a different fare structure for using the 1st class section of the coach.

Maybe when the first train arrives in the city, we'll get to know more about it.

So there is no LCD screen displaying the next station, how much time does it take, which exit to take where, and also nearest elevator/lift. Also if LCD screens are available, they can make revenue using Ads. as well.

^^It is advisable t visit the CMRL official website for more info or wait till the inauguration of the first official run to see practically what the CMRL offers .

I think the facilities would be in the same line as that of the Delhi metro .

So there is no LCD screen displaying the next station, how much time does it take, which exit to take where, and also nearest elevator/lift. Also if LCD screens are available, they can make revenue using Ads. as well.

Your signature/footer contradicts to your post sir.. That's just a line and no offense in it, although that's a very good idea you proposed. But more than LCD displays, they can have a single Public Addressing System through voice, not all can be able to view the LCD at crowded conditions, and secondly, they should ensure the display of any emergency exits if any, alongside the security camera systems.

A weird question would be "How would CMRL ensure our people don't scribble on the coaches or spit on them?" Cameras and fine them in the next station by the use of private Security forces?

Casting of the Base slab at Shenoy Nagar (Under Ground Station)
Casting of the Base slab for the launching shaft at Shenoy Nagar (Under Ground Station) has been completed on 23/07/12.
Curing is in progress. Preparatory works for lowering of TBM will commence shortly in Shenoy Nagar.

http://i48.tinypic.com/15odxdj.jpg

Source : FB

Source : TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Metro-rail-plans-to-ply-a-train-every-2-5-minutes/articleshow/15153697.cms)

CHENNAI: A gleaming stainless steel train will roll into a station every four-and-a-half minutes when the Chennai Metro (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Chennai-Metro) Rail Limited (CMRL) project is inaugurated in a couple of years. But officials are hoping to up the frequency to one train every two minutes 30 seconds once footfalls reach six lakh passengers a day.

"Initially, we will operate four-car trains every four minutes 30 seconds during peak hours along the Washermanpet-Chennai airport and Chennai Central-St Thomas Mount stretches," said a senior metro official. Peak hour frequency will be raised once patronage picks up, hopefully in the next ten years.

By then, Chennai would catch up with Delhi Metro Rail (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Delhi-Metro-Rail) in terms of frequency of services. CMRL (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/CMRL) will also try to match Delhi on carriage capacity.

Delhi metro carries an average 1,500 passengers in a four-car standard gauge train while Chennai is hoping to accommodate 1,276 commuters on a similar train. Bangalore Metro Rail currently transports nearly 1,000 passengers in a three-car train.

The first set of these locally made coaches for Chennai Metro will be ready by January 2014 at French multinational Alstom's plant at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh, 55 kms from Chennai. The plant will be commissioned by September this year, said Henri Poupart-Lafarge, president of Alstom (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Alstom) Transport. "We decided to build a plant because we wanted to be close to our client. Also, it would serve our other clients in Asia," said Lafarge.

Alstom is slated to supply 168 stainless steel coaches to Chennai Metro, with which it had signed a Rs 1471.3 crore contract. The first set of coaches, that were made at the company's plant in Brazil will reach Chennai by March 2013, said a CMRL official.

The stainless steel coaches for Chennai will be air-conditioned and have automatic sliding doors.

"The coaches are similar to Delhi Metro with a unique feature of platform screen door for underground stations which is not there in other metros," said Jojo Alexander, managing director of Alstom Transport, India. It will also have special class coaches with cushioned seats and reserved class for women passengers. Space for wheelchairs, emergency passenger exits, passenger-driver communication system, closed circuit television, route maps in English and Tamil and reduced noise levels are some of the other features.

The consortium of Alstom and Larsen & Toubro has also started on the track work for CMRL. The first stage of track installation work will be completed in 2013 and will become operational in early 2014. "Alstom's Coimbatore manufacturing Unit will be providing the traction elements for Chennai," said Alexander.

The company will invest 30 million euros to develop the Sri City plant, which will eventually become the hub for their business in India and Asia. The Sri City plant, spread over 150 acres, is part of the transport giant's expansion plan in the growing rail market in India and Asia.

"When we were awarded the CMRL contract, we knew our factory wouldn't be ready with the first set of trains. That is why we are getting them from our Brazil plant that uses the same technology," said Thibault Desteract, vice-president, commercial, Alstom Transport.

Only the media can make a story out of nothing. They have to fill the pages and we are bound to read them.

Deleted.

PT reports metro bridge collapse near Vadapalani junction, no impact other than traffic jam..

^^

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01156/AVN_BETRMETRO_1156034g.jpg

DEMOCLE'S SWORD: A pier arm of an under-construction section of the Metro Rail collapsed on 100-ft Road in Vadapalani. Photo: S.S. Kumar


http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3687119.ece

whenever i cross that i fear whether it will fall ,it looks scary:lol:

One odd accident can happen on such a big project that too with highly populated areas.

But it shouldn't become the practice that the responsibility of the govt.

They should take strict action against the culprits.

And give exemplary punishment to the culprits in Delhi airport express line project so that the contractors for the metros all over India get a warning for any lapses and casualness.

I5WOIn7GzxY

:ohno:
Anybody injured?

^^ This is indeedsad. CMRL had a very good record till now.

While it is a completely different issue, of late, the road management in the metro areas has become very bad.

Along the IRR from Pillar to Kathipara, they've completely removed the barricades in most places.

But the medians have not yet been built, the construction debris has not been cleared and the road has not been relaid. In many places, they have dug 3 feet deep pits for the median and vehicles are now running so close to the edge of the pits. It's a matter of time before one of the vehicles overturn into the pits.

With sand and debris not cleared, the whole road is now covered with loose gravel and sand. Vehicles going over the debris near the median are raising huge clouds of dust making the place so bad.

In quite a few places especially near SIDCO station, twisted steel bar are dangerously jutting out from the pillar foundations. In one place, a one foot steel rod is vertically jutting out from the ground. You can notice it only from close quarters that too only from 2 wheelers. Very dangerous :bash:

why did they remove barricades without finishing the median and relaying the roads. Even after removing the barricades, there is no effort to at least clear the debris and clear the sand / gravel. Construction work is going on as usual.

Adding to this, the Metro water / sewage board has dug up most roads in Ashok Nagar, but have not bothered to even close them with debris. The cuts have formed 2-3 feet deep pits right on the center of the road filled with dangerous sand. Again all vehicles criss cross the place, raising huge clouds of dust.

One of the worst road expreiences in this area. :bash:

:ohno:
Anybody injured?

According to news reports, no one was hurt. That pillar was under construction and the broken part didnt fall down. What would have happenned if it collapsed after the completion of the project?:gaah:

Only the scaffolding holding the pillar collpased. Not the pillar. (see the photo carefully)

It's a real tough thing to work and execute project under minimal area. Lets hope the contractor ccc do a better job

Kan dhrishti by other State people on CMRL :D Now that's done.. no more worries :)

For the last 15 days our METRO facing many problems. hope this will be the last one and no more hurdles.

^^ This is indeedsad. CMRL had a very good record till now.

While it is a completely different issue, of late, the road management in the metro areas has become very bad.

Along the IRR from Pillar to Kathipara, they've completely removed the barricades in most places.

But the medians have not yet been built, the construction debris has not been cleared and the road has not been relaid. In many places, they have dug 3 feet deep pits for the median and vehicles are now running so close to the edge of the pits. It's a matter of time before one of the vehicles overturn into the pits.

With sand and debris not cleared, the whole road is now covered with loose gravel and sand. Vehicles going over the debris near the median are raising huge clouds of dust making the place so bad.

In quite a few places especially near SIDCO station, twisted steel bar are dangerously jutting out from the pillar foundations. In one place, a one foot steel rod is vertically jutting out from the ground. You can notice it only from close quarters that too only from 2 wheelers. Very dangerous :bash:

why did they remove barricades without finishing the median and relaying the roads. Even after removing the barricades, there is no effort to at least clear the debris and clear the sand / gravel. Construction work is going on as usual.

Adding to this, the Metro water / sewage board has dug up most roads in Ashok Nagar, but have not bothered to even close them with debris. The cuts have formed 2-3 feet deep pits right on the center of the road filled with dangerous sand. Again all vehicles criss cross the place, raising huge clouds of dust.

One of the worst road expreiences in this area. :bash:

CMRL gave money (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/metro-relief-motorists-889) to SG to relay roads where barricades have been removed. Highways department has to wake up.

L&T may study development of Metro corridor (http://newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/article575957.ece)

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is negotiating with L&T Ramboll Consulting Engineers to conduct a study to assess development along the Metro Rail corridor.

The project ‘Study on Densification of Chennai Metro Rail Corridors’ will assess the areas influenced by the project and the possible development works. The negotiations began with L&T Ramboll after Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL) invited consultants for the study.

CMDA sources told Express that initial negotiations were held last Friday when L&T Ramboll Consulting Engineers and CMDA failed to reach an agreement over the cost of the project.

It is learnt L&T Ramboll quoted a price of nearly Rs 80 lakh to conduct the study, which also includes household, commercial and institutional survey within the concerned areas.

However, CMDA wanted the price to be reduced to Rs 60 lakh. “Further negotiations will continue and a reasonable price will be arrived at,” a CMDA source said.

Sources said discussions also included using satellite imagery to capture information along CMRL corridor as well as 500 metre on either side of the tracks. “This will help carry out property-level survey.”

Sources said the study would also review master plan of Chennai Metropolitan Area besides comprehensive traffic and transportation study (CTTS) and other relevant studies. It will also carry out classified traffic volume surveys during peak hours at the approach intersections of various stations along CMRL corridors to prepare traffic projections for various phases and scenarios besides formulating a strategy for densification of the corridors.

Besides preparing the Corridor Management Plan the study will also look into growth prospects, infrastructure development plan and transportation network plan including traffic and transport recommendation with necessary projections.

Please read The Hindu reporting & TOI reporting on this accident.

As per Hindu, only the scaffolding which was erected fell down as the welding gave way. The construction is yet to start by using that scaffolding.

As per TOI, the extending arm of construction fell down.

Which is true ?

^^ As per Dinamalar report, the scaffolding fell as the welding gave way and they had poured concrete only then so it also fell. They are going to rebuild the scaffolding in another 3-4 days.

Flash news in Sun news: Underground drilling by TBM started at Nehru park today!

:cheers:

Great to know that the TBM has kickstarted.

Nice to see it started without any political involvement. Any specific name given to this horizontal Drill machine. (I saw Helen and other names in Bangalore metro post)

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/378242_480176548662208_1145290113_n.jpg


The Chennai Metro Rail Project Tunnelling work commenced at Nehru Park Metro Station site on 28.7.2012.

It is a Mile stone event in the History of Metro Rail in Chennai, as this is the first Tunnel Boring machine to start tunnelling at Chennai.

Presently L&T- SUCG JV have completed the 20 metres deep underground TBM launching shaft at Nehru Park inside which two Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM)have been installed.

The tunnelling operations commenced on 28th July 2012 from Nehru Park Station to Egmore Station.

The Tunnelling distance between Nehru Park to Egmore is 939 meters.

This distance is expected to be covered in about 5 months.

The construction site is maintained with international safety standards for both tunnelling as well as station construction.

The tunnelling and underground station works are scheduled to be completed by April-2015

Source : CMRL FB (https://www.facebook.com/chennaimetrorail)

558toKAJDTo

TBM Started video

http://www.dinamalar.com/video_Inner.asp?news_id=14888&cat=32

just curious.. Where are they dumping all that soil from tunneling?

Any plans to reclaim some of the eroded land from the sea?

just curious.. Where are they dumping all that soil from tunneling?

Any plans to reclaim some of the eroded land from the sea?

They're going to dump the soil in areas like thiruneermalai.

A part of the material excavated will be used in making tunnel reinforcing materials. The rest is dumped.

They're going to dump the soil in areas like thiruneermalai.
going to dump in stone quary near Thiruneermalai, thirusulam.
Dinamalar brought a report that it can be used in road construction and some other place.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/403892_480925618587301_1131710127_n.jpg

Lowering of TBM at Washermenpet station started on 29.07.2012.

On completion of base slab casting, lowering of the parts of first tunnel boring machine (TBM) started at Washermenpet station on 29/07/12.

The middle shield followed by the other parts like screw conveyor; erector etc will be lowered.

Lowering and Assembling of the TBM machine is expected to be completed by the middle of August.

Source : CMRL FB (https://www.facebook.com/chennaimetrorail)

Sri City metro car unit of Alstom to be on stream in September

Located close to Tamil Nadu, the facility initially will cater to Chennai Metro requirements

France-based transport major Alstom Transport, which has bagged a Rs.1,431-crore order for 42 train sets from Chennai Metro Rail Ltd., (CMRL) will open its metro car manufacturing facility at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh bordering Tamil Nadu in September this year.

With the work on Chennai metro progressing fast, Alstom has planned to source initial train sets from its manufacturing facility in Brazil for testing purposes even as the Sri City facility is expected to roll out the first train set in January 2014, according to Henri Poupart-Lafarge, President of Alstom Transport worldwide.

Mr. Henri told a team of visiting Indian journalists in Paris recently that Alstom would spend about 30 million euro to create the facility on 52 acres in Sri City. He said the facility, besides catering to the requirements of Chennai Metro, would cater to the fast-growing metro rail markets in India as well as Asia Pacific. He said the site design and construction was based on technology shared from Alstom’s global manufacturing facilities as well as its major transport hub in Lapa in Brazil from where the first few metro cars for Chennai Metro would be sourced.

Customer need

A consortium of Alstom Transport SA and Alstom India had bagged the order from CMRCL in August 2010 for supply of 42 standard-gauge metro train sets, each set comprising four cars, totalling 168 cars. Explaining the rationale behind setting up the facility in India, Mr. Henri said the move showed Alstom’s responsiveness to customers’ needs and requirements and to create products suited for Indian markets.

The new facility would also be a centre of excellence for metro trains in India, Mr. Henri said. Alstom has planned up to 80 per cent of localisation for sourcing inputs even as the company will source some inputs such as traction from its Coimbatore facility and signalling software from its Bangalore facility. Mr. Henri noted that the urban market was stronger than the mainline railway market in India which is why Alstom is having the factory near Chennai.

State-of-the-art design

The CMRL order to Alstom requires the latter to supply train sets with state-of-the-art car design, light weight, made of stainless steel with three-phase AC drive. The cars will feature automatic train protection and operation facilities. These cars will also have electronic route map, public address system, passenger emergency intercom, video surveillance and CCTV. The trains will run on 25 kV through an overhead catenary system.

Each train set will be provided with a first-class seating section in the coach near the train operator’s cab even as the four-car train set will be designed for future convertibility to a six-car rake. The maximum allowable operating speed of the train set will be 80 kmph with maximum speed of 90 kmph. A four-car train set can accommodate 1,276 passengers.

Source - The Hindu

My Source -FB (http://www.facebook.com/chennaimetrorail) :P

TBM Started video

http://www.dinamalar.com/video_Inner.asp?news_id=14888&cat=32


8 KM per day???:eek2:
Should be 8 metres per day! if they were to finish 8 KM per day they can finish boring the entire length in about a weeks time.

Nice to see it started without any political involvement. Any specific name given to this horizontal Drill machine. (I saw Helen and other names in Bangalore metro post)

How about Minimma (Muniyamma), Marima (Mariyamma), Kalima (Kaliyamma). :lol:

Similar names were suggested for the cyclones.

^^ :rofl:

How about Minimma (Muniyamma), Marima (Mariyamma), Kalima (Kaliyamma). :lol:

Similar names were suggested for the cyclones.

Considering the size of TBMs, it should be named as Namitha, Shakila, etc :)

HI All!

Does anyone know who is going to get the O&M contract for the Chennai Metro?
The last I heard was that the O&M bid process was completed.

Does anyone know which companies applied for the contract?

How about Minimma (Muniyamma), Marima (Mariyamma), Kalima (Kaliyamma). :lol:

Similar names were suggested for the cyclones.
TBM supposed to be male gender right?:naughty:
Let have atleast tamil names for the TBM in Chennai.

IITM experts inspect the crack on LIC

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3713742.ece

How about Minimma (Muniyamma), Marima (Mariyamma), Kalima (Kaliyamma). :lol:

Similar names were suggested for the cyclones.

TBM supposed to be male gender right?:naughty:
Let have atleast tamil names for the TBM in Chennai.

That should be simple. Muniyan, Mari, Kali, ...

TRANSACTION ADVISORY SERVICES FOR GENERATING REVENUE FROM RETAILING COMMERCIAL SPACES OVER/AROUND METRO STATION AREAS AND BID PROCESS MANAGEMENT

http://chennaimetrorail.gov.in/tenders/PQ%20-%20PD%20Consultant.pdf

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01162/AVN_LENSCRACK_1162809g.jpg

IIT-M concludes cracks on LIC not because of CMRL..

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3712690.ece (Picture 5/7)

hai, those are not painted, l&t maintain the latest france metro rail technique in hyderabad metro rail construction with out use the water.this is very high frequency perfornmce by L&T.chennai,bangalore metro rail projects both are low cost and less length projects. but hyderabad metro rail project is largest metro rail project in india.this have approx to 72 km. l&t using the chemicals in concrete mix.. thst's they showing white colored coating with out painting///

^^ Sorry wrong timing and placement

http://chennaimetrorail.gov.in/newsletter/July-2012.pdf

The much awaited newsletter as usual promptly released. :)
Things to cheer:
1. Tunneling commencement. I feel the event should have created little more buzz & coverage. Anyways, lets wish CMRL a "Happy & safe drilling"!:)
2. I am sure all will be more than excited to see the first glimpse of rolling stock.. Its looking good and is as per the images in the website.

Yet to read thru fully.
Enjoy!

love the shiny blue colour ...looks awesome....:)

hai, those are not painted, l&t maintain the latest france metro rail technique in hyderabad metro rail construction with out use the water.this is very high frequency perfornmce by L&T.chennai,bangalore metro rail projects both are low cost and less length projects. but hyderabad metro rail project is largest metro rail project in india.this have approx to 72 km. l&t using the chemicals in concrete mix.. thst's they showing white colored coating with out painting///

Good for you you man ...

Considering the size of TBMs, it should be named as Namitha, Shakila, etc :)

LOL

Sri City metro car unit of Alstom to be on stream in September

Located close to Tamil Nadu, the facility initially will cater to Chennai Metro requirements

France-based transport major Alstom Transport, which has bagged a Rs.1,431-crore order for 42 train sets from Chennai Metro Rail Ltd., (CMRL) will open its metro car manufacturing facility at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh bordering Tamil Nadu in September this year.

With the work on Chennai metro progressing fast, Alstom has planned to source initial train sets from its manufacturing facility in Brazil for testing purposes even as the Sri City facility is expected to roll out the first train set in January 2014, according to Henri Poupart-Lafarge, President of Alstom Transport worldwide.

Mr. Henri told a team of visiting Indian journalists in Paris recently that Alstom would spend about 30 million euro to create the facility on 52 acres in Sri City. He said the facility, besides catering to the requirements of Chennai Metro, would cater to the fast-growing metro rail markets in India as well as Asia Pacific. He said the site design and construction was based on technology shared from Alstom’s global manufacturing facilities as well as its major transport hub in Lapa in Brazil from where the first few metro cars for Chennai Metro would be sourced.

Customer need

A consortium of Alstom Transport SA and Alstom India had bagged the order from CMRCL in August 2010 for supply of 42 standard-gauge metro train sets, each set comprising four cars, totalling 168 cars. Explaining the rationale behind setting up the facility in India, Mr. Henri said the move showed Alstom’s responsiveness to customers’ needs and requirements and to create products suited for Indian markets.

The new facility would also be a centre of excellence for metro trains in India, Mr. Henri said. Alstom has planned up to 80 per cent of localisation for sourcing inputs even as the company will source some inputs such as traction from its Coimbatore facility and signalling software from its Bangalore facility. Mr. Henri noted that the urban market was stronger than the mainline railway market in India which is why Alstom is having the factory near Chennai.

State-of-the-art design

The CMRL order to Alstom requires the latter to supply train sets with state-of-the-art car design, light weight, made of stainless steel with three-phase AC drive. The cars will feature automatic train protection and operation facilities. These cars will also have electronic route map, public address system, passenger emergency intercom, video surveillance and CCTV. The trains will run on 25 kV through an overhead catenary system.

Each train set will be provided with a first-class seating section in the coach near the train operator’s cab even as the four-car train set will be designed for future convertibility to a six-car rake. The maximum allowable operating speed of the train set will be 80 kmph with maximum speed of 90 kmph. A four-car train set can accommodate 1,276 passengers.

Source - The Hindu

My Source -FB (http://www.facebook.com/chennaimetrorail) :P
The other day I saw an ALSTOM unit just outside Coimbatore. It even had a pic of the CMRL coach outside. :nuts:

love the shiny blue colour ...looks awesome....:)

+1 :cheers:

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/3626/cmrl.jpg

del

ON THE RIGHT TRACK: Track-laying work for Metro Rail in full swing on the Jawaharlal Nehru Road between Vadapalani and Koyambedu. Photo: S.S. Kumar


http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01168/AVN_LENSTRACK_1168537g.jpg

ON THE RIGHT TRACK: Track-laying work for Metro Rail in full swing on the Jawaharlal Nehru Road between Vadapalani and Koyambedu. Photo: S.S. Kumar


http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01168/AVN_LENSTRACK_1168537g.jpg

Looks like the train can't move without scraping through the parapet. I know it's the angle, but looks very uneasy. Great progress nevertheless. :)

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01168/tunnel_eps0_1168634f.jpg

Residents of the city may be eagerly looking forward to the monsoon next month, but for Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), it would mean getting equipped on various fronts so that the project proceeds smoothly during the rains.

With construction work on some metro stations having plunged underground, one would think the work site would transform into little ponds with a lot of muddy water and slush. However, CMRL officials say nothing would stop, particularly at the sites where tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are being operated.

“The TBMs are fully automated. Its entire functioning has been pre-programmed anticipating different weather conditions,” said an official. Tunnelling work is currently proceeding apace at the Nehru Park site. The tunnelling segment from Nehru Park station to Egmore station will be the first to be completed, covering a distance of 939 metres in five months.

The TBM, said to be one of the most advanced technologies in underground construction work, will have two operators manning it in different shifts, 24x7. “It doesn’t matter if it rains, the operators will be seated in air-conditioned cabins set up at ground level. The entire operation is set and will proceed systematically,” the official explained.

In many other sites where underground stations are being built, work will not be disrupted due to rains, officials said.

Flooded roads, inundated pockets and chaotic traffic are annual features, if the city’s memory of monsoons is anything to go by. But CMRL seems confident about handling such situations. “Nothing changes within the construction site,” an official emphasised.

Asked what precautions would be taken to ensure workers’ safety, officials said each of them would be provided with raincoats, umbrellas and gum boots. “But if the rain is too heavy, we might have to suspend work. Those decisions would be taken on a day-to-day basis,” the official said.

Each station would require a maximum of 200 workers when construction work is at its peak.

With regard to elevated stations, where construction has progressed considerably, mechanisms are in place to ensure that the rain water is pumped and drained out automatically every day.

Officials said track-laying work was nearly complete in Vadapalani, which is part of the elevated corridor.

Source :: The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3735397.ece)

The stretch between Allandur station and St.Thomas station, the pillar are moving closely even the one that diverts to OTA. Is there a cross over for the trains to move to Corridor 1 when coming from Koyambedu depot?

The stretch between Allandur station and St.Thomas station, the pillar are moving closely even the one that diverts to OTA. Is there a cross over for the trains to move to Corridor 1 when coming from Koyambedu depot?

Alandur station is multi leveled in such a way that there is no cross over of tracks, but one route is on one floor and another route on another floor. Commuters have to change levels to take the preferred route.

I am not talking about passengers or the station. The stretch between the two station, the corridor 1 track goes along with with corridor 2 track and diverts only near the PSBB school to OTA. Is there a cross over for the empty rakes coming from depot in the early hours to get into corridor 1. If not where is the cross over. There is only one depot as of now. The Meenambakkam/Trishulam depot has been dropped.

I am not talking about passengers or the station. The stretch between the two station, the corridor 1 track goes along with with corridor 2 track and diverts only near the PSBB school to OTA. Is there a cross over for the empty rakes coming from depot in the early hours to get into corridor 1. If not where is the cross over. There is only one depot as of now. The Meenambakkam/Trishulam depot has been dropped.


Yes there is a rail crossover at alandur.

I am not talking about passengers or the station. The stretch between the two station, the corridor 1 track goes along with with corridor 2 track and diverts only near the PSBB school to OTA. Is there a cross over for the empty rakes coming from depot in the early hours to get into corridor 1. If not where is the cross over. There is only one depot as of now. The Meenambakkam/Trishulam depot has been dropped.

Probably I misread/misunderstood ur statement.

@coolmukund - could u please explain on further?

Abhilash,
Chndrmhn is saying there is only 1 depot at koyambedu & at the end of the day all trains from both the lines have to go to the same shed in Koyambedu.
The Central to St Thomas Mount line goes via Koyambedu and in this line there is a branch to the depot. So trains can just descend there after end of operations to the depot. No problem.
Whereas for the Washermenpet-airport line, how do the trains get to the depot after the end of day's operations? The only way is to provide a loop where trains from this line can switch over to the Central-Mount line & reach the depot. That is possible near one of the 2 interhanges which is Central or Alandur.
All he (& now even I) is asking is where is this crossover provided? Central or Alandur?

Abhilash,
Chndrmhn is saying there is only 1 depot at koyambedu & at the end of the day all trains from both the lines have to go to the same shed in Koyambedu.
The Central to St Thomas Mount line goes via Koyambedu and in this line there is a branch to the depot. So trains can just descend there after end of operations to the depot. No problem.
Whereas for the Washermenpet-airport line, how do the trains get to the depot after the end of day's operations? The only way is to provide a loop where trains from this line can switch over to the Central-Mount line & reach the depot. That is possible near one of the 2 interhanges which is Central or Alandur.
All he (& now even I) is asking is where is this crossover provided? Central or Alandur?

Extending to this, I have a doubt, there should obviously be crossovers at both the origination and arrival stations for the rakes to make it from one track to the other rite, so obviously there should be one at washermanpet and one at airport on 1 line and one at central and one at alandur for line 2.
<Correct me if I'm wrong>

^^
Of course it will be there for trains to change directions. If feasible they should have this provision for direction change after every 3-4 stations. It will provide more flexibility & can be helpful in case of breakdown or emergency.

I am not talking about passengers or the station. The stretch between the two station, the corridor 1 track goes along with with corridor 2 track and diverts only near the PSBB school to OTA. Is there a cross over for the empty rakes coming from depot in the early hours to get into corridor 1. If not where is the cross over. There is only one depot as of now. The Meenambakkam/Trishulam depot has been dropped.

But both the tracks go at different elevations. So I doubt if there will be a cross over from the St.Thomas Mount track to the airport one.

But both the tracks go at different elevations. So I doubt if there will be a cross over from the St.Thomas Mount track to the airport one.

Yes rite, both will be at different levels, but to station the rakes or bring them back to Koyambedu Coach Terminus, there needs to be a crossover from one level to another. Otherwise, there needs to be a Terminus for the Washermanpet-Airport Line. I believe there should be another terminus near Alandur with a crossover between levels.

There can be cross over either at Central or Allandur, where the two corridors meet. At both the stations, the two tracks are at different elevation. Prefered that the cross over are at both the stations.

There can be cross over either at Central or Allandur, where the two corridors meet. At both the stations, the two tracks are at different elevation. Prefered that the cross over are at both the stations.

But above the ground crossover would be better than below the ground crossover due to construction costs. So there would be an elimination of crossover at Central.

There was a press release from CMRL sometime back saying that initially trains would be run in the elevated sections between Koyambedu and St. Thomas Mount & also between Little Mount and St. Thomas Mount. It means there has to be a cross over just after Alandur Station

Flash News in Puthiya Thalaimurai: Accident in metro rail site near Pachaiyappas college. 1 or 2 feared dead.

Flash News in Puthiya Thalaimurai: Accident in metro rail site near Pachaiyappas college. 1 or 2 feared dead.

Unfortunate :ohno:

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/one-killed-six-injured-in-accident-at-under-construction-metro-site-in-chennai-252838?pfrom=home-lateststories

Unfortunate :ohno:

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/one-killed-six-injured-in-accident-at-under-construction-metro-site-in-chennai-252838?pfrom=home-lateststories

News with picture

Crane crash at Chennai Metro Rail site kills worker

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01170/AVN_METRO_1170838f.jpg

The Hindu A view of CMRL's Pachaiappa's College site, where one worker died. The collapsed arm of the crane is visible. Photo: M. Karunakaran
In the first major accident at a metro rail construction site in Chennai, one worker died and six others were injured on Wednesday evening. The injured were taken to the Government General Hospital and of them one of them is said to be critical, with a spine injury.

The mishap took place at the site near Pachaiyappa’s College after what Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials called a crane boom failure.

The failure occurred as one of the giant cranes at the site was about to drop a nearly-25 tonne reinforcement bar — iron cage-like structure used in the construction of the diaphragm wall for the underground station — in the underground chamber. “Consequently, the huge iron bar fell from a height of 22 metres, when the seven men were stationed around the chamber,” said S. Krishnamoorthy, chief general manager (public relations), CMRL.

The worker who died was identified as Sindhu (30) and those injured were Ravindra (22), Sadiq (25), Imanul (30), Sonelal (20), Jainul (20) and Ajay (35) – from Orissa, West Bengal and Bihar.

The chamber was, CMRL officials said, 1 metre wide, 5 metres long and 20 metres deep. All the workers were standing around it when the iron cage came crashing down, dragging Sindhu into the pit.

The accident is said to have occurred around 8.30 p.m. Soon after, senior officials from CMRL, and contractors executing construction work at that site — Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and China-based Shanghai Urban Construction Group (SUCG) — rushed to the spot. Siren sounds of several ambulances and fire engines could be heard.

Around 9.30 p.m., sensing the commotion, motorists going past the site began slowing down, causing a traffic pile up. Around 10 p.m., as many as five ambulances zoomed out of the site, which was enclosed completely, with police and metro rail personnel preventing anyone else from entering. Immediately after, all the flood lights that were on until then were switched off at the site.

The six injured labourers were brought to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. Ajay Mohan Singh (35) who hails from Orissa said he felt a load had hit him after which he collapsed. "When I regained senses, I was being taken to a hospital." The labourers were first rushed to a private hospital after which they were brought to GH.

All the labourers had come to Chennai during the last three months. "I came first, after which my contractor had got the other ones," said Ajay. They live in a colony in Vanagaram with nearly 300 other metro rail workers. Imanul, said hospital sources , was critical with a spine injury while Sonelal’s eye was badly injured. “He will need a plastic surgery,” said a doctor. The condition of the rest was stable.

On whether the workers were covered by an insurance policy, Mr. Krishnamoorthy said the contractors would take care of the insurance policy, as per the Workers Compensation Act. Asked if ambulances are stationed at metro rail construction sites, he said: “No, we have first aid clinics.”

On Thursday, CMRL will conduct an investigation to investigate why the crane boom failure occurred, he said.

Solatium

Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has condoled the death. In a statement, Ms. Jayalalithaa announced a solatium of Rs. 1 lakh to the family of Sindhu. Six others who were injured in the incident would be given Rs. 25,000 each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Source: The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3742990.ece?homepage=true)

Probably I misread/misunderstood ur statement.

@coolmukund - could u please explain on further?

Abhilash,
Chndrmhn is saying there is only 1 depot at koyambedu & at the end of the day all trains from both the lines have to go to the same shed in Koyambedu.
The Central to St Thomas Mount line goes via Koyambedu and in this line there is a branch to the depot. So trains can just descend there after end of operations to the depot. No problem.
Whereas for the Washermenpet-airport line, how do the trains get to the depot after the end of day's operations? The only way is to provide a loop where trains from this line can switch over to the Central-Mount line & reach the depot. That is possible near one of the 2 interhanges which is Central or Alandur.
All he (& now even I) is asking is where is this crossover provided? Central or Alandur?

Extending to this, I have a doubt, there should obviously be crossovers at both the origination and arrival stations for the rakes to make it from one track to the other rite, so obviously there should be one at washermanpet and one at airport on 1 line and one at central and one at alandur for line 2.
<Correct me if I'm wrong>

^^
Of course it will be there for trains to change directions. If feasible they should have this provision for direction change after every 3-4 stations. It will provide more flexibility & can be helpful in case of breakdown or emergency.

But both the tracks go at different elevations. So I doubt if there will be a cross over from the St.Thomas Mount track to the airport one.

As far as i know, the crossover is only at alandur. It is not there at central. read it in one of the many PDFs from the CMRL website earlier, when all documents were available online.

Also, in the station drawings of alandur station that had been posted in this thread long back, and then later re posted by me (i think it would have been taken off now due to security concerns), we can clearly see three tracks in the alandur railway station. two for the regular lines and one for the crossover. So, the crossover will be in and around the station only.

As far as i know, the crossover is only at alandur. It is not there at central. read it in one of the many PDFs from the CMRL website earlier, when all documents were available online.

Also, in the station drawings of alandur station that had been posted in this thread long back, and then later re posted by me (i think it would have been taken off now due to security concerns), we can clearly see three tracks in the alandur railway station. two for the regular lines and one for the crossover. So, the crossover will be in and around the station only.

Thanks Mr. Mukund, for enlightening us on this.

It is very sad that one person died for our METRO. nice gesture from JJ by some compensation instead of some action on CMRL.

1 lakh is less. SG can give a little more.

That station can be named as Sindhu now. RIP!

Been long time since some one posted on the CMRL updates with pics.. Any?

^^Second it. Updates on Koyambedu to Kathipara please.

News in pudhiya thalaimurai - two officials from construction company arrested. Search for the crane operator is on.

I'll try to get some pics over the weekend

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7747312858_dc227e6561.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747312858/)
I4013 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747312858/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7747313406_b69c87b069.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747313406/)
I4014 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747313406/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8299/7747314430_1524044f62.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747314430/)
I4016 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747314430/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Little mt stn

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7747315080_dcba2e75a2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747315080/)
I4017 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747315080/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8439/7747315978_919909b969.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747315978/)
I4019 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747315978/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7747317690_d20f7f9c29.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747317690/)
I4022 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747317690/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/7747319314_1d4285da1c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747319314/)
I4024 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747319314/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/7747320102_24d73fb237.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747320102/)
I4025 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747320102/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Little mt. again

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8286/7747328082_29650d6f7f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747328082/)
I4038 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747328082/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr


D-wall skeletons getting lowered at Teynampet station site :)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8446/7747320614_a1eaffce85.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747320614/)
I4026 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747320614/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Barricades removed in Kasi theatre stretch ...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8428/7747322034_b9e841a195.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747322034/)
I4029 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747322034/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Udhayam jn.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/7747323176_6b1ab20c92.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747323176/)
I4031 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747323176/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Ashok pillar stn.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/7747324480_2026bb60f9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747324480/)
I4033 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747324480/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Portal work near Ashok pillar corp park...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8438/7747325062_7ae5d18bbc.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747325062/)
I4034 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747325062/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7106/7747325854_387d0b3168.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747325854/)
I4035 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747325854/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Jawahar stretch

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7747326544_b3b4ff29d3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747326544/)
I4036 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747326544/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Viaduct casting on the verge of reaching the junction .. Stretch from UG to elevated transition to Little mt. stn . almost done...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7747328560_30e986a438.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747328560/)
I4039 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747328560/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Opp . to guindy estate bus stop

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7139/7747333352_4c257045e0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747333352/)
I4046 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747333352/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7747333870_404f382368.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747333870/)
I4047 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747333870/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

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I4048 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747334508/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Guindy station

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8446/7747335594_c5b63961ff.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747335594/)
I4050 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747335594/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8444/7747336160_668627f5ab.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747336160/)
I4051 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747336160/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/7747336794_1da189511a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747336794/)
I4052 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747336794/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Nearing Guindy Railway line... View : towards ITC.grand chola ..

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7747337418_e424d944e6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747337418/)
I4053 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747337418/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

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I4054 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747337866/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

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I4055 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747338434/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

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I4056 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747338968/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

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I4057 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747339446/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

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I4058 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747340010/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

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I4059 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747340568/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

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I4060 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747341264/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/7747343184_8cf5e2b2d3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747343184/)
I4063 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747343184/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Pillar at Ashok leyland jn. From here to line transformation the pillar top segments and viaducts are casted on the site rather than precast segments....

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7747343894_f4d6b8185b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747343894/)
I4064 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747343894/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8308/7747344888_a2340630a6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747344888/)
I4065 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747344888/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7108/7747345552_c5fd6e5b80.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747345552/)
I4066 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747345552/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/7747348736_92e8c6d45a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747348736/)
I4071 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7747348736/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Thanks DP..
is the elevated stretch from Chinnamalai to Kathipara going in lesser pace compare to CMBT-St.thomas mount?

Thanks darkprinz.. As usual a visual treat to the eyes :)

^^ That's expected.. the target is nearer for CMBT stretch..

@DP - Super duper updates... you've covered almost the whole elevated stretch!! Great job!!! :cheers:

Metro Rail project work suspended (The Hindu)

Following the accident on Wednesday in which one worker died and six were injured, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited will have all the equipment re-certified. CMRL to conduct safety audit across 32 stations

Construction work on the Metro Rail project in the city came to a standstill on Thursday, following the accident at the Pachaiyappa’s College site that killed a worker and left six labourers injured a day earlier. Work will resume after the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) completes a safety audit across its 32 stations.

“Work has been suspended to put in tighter controls in place. We will have all the equipment re-certified,” K. Rajaraman, managing director, CMRL, told The Hindu. The audit is expected to take two to three days and construction work will resume soon after. This is the first time that work on the Metro line spanning over 45 km comes to a complete halt ever since the project was launched in 2009.

While the condition of the six injured workers is said to be stable, Mr. Rajaram said the CMRL suggested that they be moved to a private hospital for advanced treatment, if required.

Following the CMRL’s decision to suspend work, sites where stations are coming up were nearly empty with only machines stationed on the dug-up premises. “Aaj chhutii hein [It’s a holiday today],” said a lone worker seen outside the Pachaiyappa College site on Thursday morning. Barring police personnel and some officials, no one came to the site, he said.

According to CMRL officials, a probe into the cause of the accident has begun. A study is on at three levels – one by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and China-based Shanghai Urban Construction Group (SUCG), the contractors building the Pachaiyappa’s College station; another by the General Consultant and the third, by the CMRL itself.

According to senior officials, safety experts were studying the crane whose boom failed, leading to the accident. They also spoke to employees who were present at the site.

“We expect the report to be ready in the next couple of days. Until then, we will not be in a position to comment on the cause,” Mr. Rajaram said.

Observing that though safety was the contractor’s responsibility, he said the CMRL would on its part to ensure there was no lapse in future.

“All our agreements with the contractors are according to international codes – be it safety at the construction site or workers’ safety. The norms are standard across all sites, irrespective of the contractor,” he said. The CMRL would also ensure that the insurance sum reached the victims, officials said.

Meanwhile, city police on Thursday arrested two persons in connection with the accident. They were released in the evening.

Yesterday I saw a news coverage in Puthiya Thalaimurai which lists all the accidents take place at CMRL site.

It reported LIC building crack is also due CMRL station construction and CMRL authorities were advised by IIT professors to take some precautionary action to prevent such things to LIC building and other buildings around construction area.

It also reported the Ashok nagar site collapse.

Another thing what the news covered, goes like this ...
No safety guidelines provided to contractors
No regular audit by CMRL whether the contractors are following the safety criteria
No proper barricade in completed stretch which should be in international standard (???) so that any collision by vehicle should not damage it (???)
...

While looking at this news coverage, any layman will think that there is no safety measures followed at CMRL site and it is dangerous to travel until all the constructions were completed.

Thanks
Sathish

DP
Thanks for the great pictures. They overwhelm the minor mishaps. Hope to see many more.

Yesterday I saw a news coverage in Puthiya Thalaimurai which lists all the accidents take place at CMRL site.

It reported LIC building crack is also due CMRL station construction and CMRL authorities were advised by IIT professors to take some precautionary action to prevent such things to LIC building and other buildings around construction area.

It also reported the Ashok nagar site collapse.

Another thing what the news covered, goes like this ...
No safety guidelines provided to contractors
No regular audit by CMRL whether the contractors are following the safety criteria
No proper barricade in completed stretch which should be in international standard (???) so that any collision by vehicle should not damage it (???)
...

While looking at this news coverage, any layman will think that there is no safety measures followed at CMRL site and it is dangerous to travel until all the constructions were completed.

Thanks
Sathish

During the construction of kolkatta underground metro in 1993 (first metro in the country) the locals bore much more hardships patiently & courageouly with the constuction technology then not like it is now and i was living there and saw myself many accidents that took place during such challenging construction.In 1995 i went by metro from esplanade to tollygunj and what a pleasant ride it was.The underground stations were well maintained even in such densely populated city.so i tell my dear chennaites who are so scared to bear with such projects unlike people in Bangaluru,Mumbai and Hyderabad where metro rail projects constructions are also under progress.Any kadpad by u and your fickle minded chief minister will stop the project like the elevated expressway from maduravoyal to chennai port and make rote the new assembly building and waiting to ravage the library building.:lol:

During the construction of kolkatta underground metro in 1993 (first metro in the country) the locals bore much more hardships patiently & courageouly with the constuction technology then not like it is now and i was living there and saw myself many accidents that took place during such challenging construction.In 1995 i went by metro from esplanade to tollygunj and what a pleasant ride it was.The underground stations were well maintained even in such densely populated city.so i tell my dear chennaites who are so scared to bear with such projects unlike people in Bangaluru,Mumbai and Hyderabad where metro rail projects constructions are also under progress.Any kadpad by u and your fickle minded chief minister will stop the project like the elevated expressway from maduravoyal to chennai port and make rote the new assembly building and waiting to ravage the library building.:lol:

Ippo yaarume bayama irukku nu yaarume vaaku moolam kudukalaye ranga sir...:dunno:

Ippo yaarume bayama irukku nu yaarume vaaku moolam kudukalaye ranga sir...:dunno:
panthila pakkathu thattuku payasam vayinu sonna enna artham?

BTW super updates DP!

Pavam avaru first time news parthutu account create panni ellarayum bayamurutha try pannirukaru pola

I had the rare privilege of meeting Mr. Sridharan the man behind the Delhi Metro in the Chennai Airport last 8th. I introduced myself and got talking to him for about 10 minutes. I told him and I was happy that he was involved in the CMRL project and he surprised me telling that his role was very limited in the project. "If CMRL asks us for my consultation or help only then I comes in the picture" he said. I also asked him about the mono rail and he looked like he was not a great admirer of the mono rail.

10 minutes seemed like one minute. Had so many questions but so little time. Came off as a big fan of this great man. :)

Video on Chennai metro. Not sure if this has been posted before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g9CeRBfGZE&feature=related

Video on Chennai metro. Not sure if this has been posted before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g9CeRBfGZE&feature=related

Its ALREADY posted. See the first page ...

Couple of pillars before Kathipara ramp

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7774588700_ac628d4870_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774588700/)
1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774588700/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8432/7774618232_3c518b0d8a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774618232/)
2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774618232/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8288/7774619324_66b89fc83d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774619324/)
3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774619324/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

moving towards kathipara LE meridian loop

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/7774620578_65fd6f1c55_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774620578/)
4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774620578/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr
Pillars are really very tall:)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8282/7774621528_9721bb2f17_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774621528/)
5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774621528/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8299/7774622578_85f514e054_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774622578/)
6 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774622578/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Inside the Le meridian loop
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/7774623426_420e4cb383_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774623426/)
7 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774623426/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7774624394_4ce659441c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774624394/)
8 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774624394/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Along Kathipara IRR ramp ... moving towards Alandur stn.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7774625412_0afba8ba8d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774625412/)
9 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774625412/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8302/7774626440_b671113386_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774626440/)
10 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774626440/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Now the line crosses the road... Leaning left from main ramp towards alandur station....

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/7774627520_2f1a229338_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774627520/)
11 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774627520/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Alandur station.. Looks humongous .. long

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/7774628516_7912f822e0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774628516/)
12 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774628516/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/7774629574_f17d90a89c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774629574/)
13 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774629574/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8422/7774631128_3c56df81f9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774631128/)
14 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774631128/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8307/7774632168_73539d0118_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774632168/)
15 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774632168/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Two level Viaduct u/c at the station ... Looking at the height of second level viaduct i think koyambedu line when crossing the loops will be as tall as a brontosaurus :lol:...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8302/7774633384_e5eba460b0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774633384/)
16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774633384/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

From the other side :banana:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7774638722_53ec6b2ebd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774638722/)
21 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774638722/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7774639570_a4ebd9a6d5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774639570/)
22 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774639570/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/7774640478_6d4f05b421_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774640478/)
23 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774640478/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Stairs u/c

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8297/7774634672_9962906a65_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774634672/)
17 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774634672/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8440/7774635908_a5d8ee14b3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774635908/)
18 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774635908/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8421/7774636886_04420d68ca_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774636886/)
19 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774636886/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8439/7774637840_2de1711253_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774637840/)
20 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774637840/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr


Kathipara to Ashok pillar coming soon... :)

Great pics...:okay:

Are these the same pillars which were supposed to be 24 metres tall??

nitpicking... but the posters makes it look like someone crapped on the boards.

Hope they don't do it on the actual pillars once it is opened.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7774639570_a4ebd9a6d5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774639570/)
22 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7774639570/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr


You get a full view of this station... it would look great when completed ... Any renders for the stations?

Awesome pics DP :)

Human error caused crane crash at Metro site: Report (http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=Operator+blamed+for+Metro+crane+mishap&source=web&cd=8&ved=0CGcQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Fcity%2Fchennai%2FHuman-error-caused-crane-crash-at-Metro-site-Report%2Farticleshow%2F15485441.cms&ei=nR8qUKr5JuqZiQfZgIHADw&usg=AFQjCNG9JaNXfipdcKDHLOfkQbWBdEiPqg)

It was a human error that caused the crane accident last Wednesday at Pachaiyappa's College underground station site, says a preliminary report submitted by the safety consultant on Monday. The boom of a crawler crane carrying a 17-tonne mesh on Wednesday came crashing on the workers, killing one of them and injuring six others.

"The report says prima facie the accident happened because the crane operator did not lift the load properly," said V Somasundaram, chief general manager, construction, Chennai Metro Rail. The operator tried to move it horizontally and swing it to avoid an obstacle. Horizontal movement of crane is prohibited and load should only be lifted vertically. The flexibility of the boom to lift the load was low because it was in a 30degree angle instead of being perpendicular, the official said. "We will check whether crane operators have competence for the job at our work sites. We will check whether they have proper training and competence certificates. More corrective steps will be taken only after a detailed investigation report is submitted," he added.

Now, metro will sensitise its crane operators to follow all operation procedures strictly. After the accident, metro officials inspected safety of cranes at all work sites. But, they were all found to be fit and safe. "We checked whether the machines had proper documentation like worthiness certificate, operator's competence certificate, manufacturer's manual and others. The machines have relevant papers and are fit," said Somasundaram.

The accident happened in spite of safety training and campaigns conducted for employees and contractors at work sites of underground stations along the Poonamallee High Road and Anna Salai. Police had arrested two officials of Larson and Toubro and detained the crane operator who was absconding.

This is the second accident at a metro rail site in the city. On July 26, a mould of a pillar near Vadapalani collapsed soon after being filled with concrete. Nobody was injured in the accident.

nitpicking... but the posters makes it look like someone crapped on the boards.

Hope they don't do it on the actual pillars once it is opened.

you have great Hopes :nuts:

Already, all the pillars, where the barricades have been removed, have been 'decorated' with posters. Soon, they'll be entirely covered with posters.

We have square pillars with ample and convenient space for posters. And we have a Corporation / police force who, at the max, will just rip away some of the posters once in a while. No one will get fined / punished.

So, how will this ever end? The biggest beneficiaries of the metro lines will be the poster printing companies.

^ Ads on the pillars can be a way to raise revenue and prevent posters . Or maybe , murals.

And fantastic updates , DP !

Rushabh , yep , the pillars over Kathipara will be 24 metres tall :)

another shot of Alandur Metro station which is going to be a transit station for MTC, SETC, TNSTC, Omni buses in next 2-3yrs

http://i50.tinypic.com/33cogo4.jpg

Do we have sufficient space there to make this as IMTC?

Great pics...:okay:

Are these the same pillars which were supposed to be 24 metres tall??

yes

you have great Hopes :nuts:

Already, all the pillars, where the barricades have been removed, have been 'decorated' with posters. Soon, they'll be entirely covered with posters.

We have square pillars with ample and convenient space for posters. And we have a Corporation / police force who, at the max, will just rip away some of the posters once in a while. No one will get fined / punished.

So, how will this ever end? The biggest beneficiaries of the metro lines will be the poster printing companies.

They should lease the pillars to some private companies for AD space. Once they get involved they will find a innovative way to protect their space.

Visually there is a big difference between vinyl back lit jewelry/car/cell company's ADs compared to naai karanda paper poster of politicos and movies.

you have great Hopes :nuts:

Already, all the pillars, where the barricades have been removed, have been 'decorated' with posters. Soon, they'll be entirely covered with posters.

We have square pillars with ample and convenient space for posters. And we have a Corporation / police force who, at the max, will just rip away some of the posters once in a while. No one will get fined / punished.

So, how will this ever end? The biggest beneficiaries of the metro lines will be the poster printing companies.

At places near Ekkatuthangal, where barricades are removed, they even use the newly laid median to post the craps...

guys any updates on vadapalani flyover over metro?

They Gov't should plan to aquire the Mohit stadium just opposite this Alandur station to create necessary infrastructure, such as car parks and bus stand. (Getting any land from Defence authorities is not going to be easy) but they should start trying it from now. It is better to have infrastructure facilities than play polo in this ground. I see a big food court has already developed near this place and doing roaring buisness.

Will any other organisation, either private or Governmental, be forced to part with their real estate barring the defence services in every city? Would the IT majors / auto majors/Railways/ PSU be made to give up their land for infrastructure/defence projects? It would not be an exagerration to say that (probably) the single largest agency from whom maximum land has been obtained for infrastructure/development projects is the defence.

These are the only large open spaces available in the city. Coaxing or forcing the Army authorities to open their open spaces to the public might be a better idea. [I]So Mohite stadiatha appadiye vitudalam please

I had voiced a similar opinion in an earlier post too http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=69288521&highlight=#post69288521

The very aim of the Metro/Mono/MRTS is to leave the cars at home in the garages- so car parks may be couter productive. It would make more sense to develop an efficient feeder system in form of mini buses or e-rickshaws to the Metro stations(with more focus on the interchange stations) rather than convert part of the Mohite Stadium to a parking space.
They Gov't should plan to aquire the Mohit stadium just opposite this Alandur station to create necessary infrastructure, such as car parks and bus stand. (Getting any land from Defence authorities is not going to be easy) but they should start trying it from now. It is better to have infrastructure facilities than play polo in this ground. I see a big food court has already developed near this place and doing roaring buisness.

Could the Corporation consider extending the existing ban on posters in a few roads of Chennai to the Metro stretch. The posters are a real eyesore
At places near Ekkatuthangal, where barricades are removed, they even use the newly laid median to post the craps...

Thanks to driver anna .. didn't get disturbed/irritated that am holding a camera behind him.. :lol:

Portal pillars under construction along the kathipara main ramp

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/7787716124_3032446354_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787716124/)
1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787716124/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7787716448_616902e148_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787716448/)
2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787716448/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8443/7787716916_b74ebd4840_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787716916/)
3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787716916/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8302/7787717438_52b67c05fb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787717438/)
4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787717438/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8286/7787717910_d9270e2da4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787717910/)
5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787717910/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Barricades removed ...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8286/7787718322_cf8bfbf94e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787718322/)
6 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787718322/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7787718796_5037431aca_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787718796/)
7 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787718796/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Sidco station works ...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8446/7787719242_64bd3805f4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787719242/)
8 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787719242/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7787719700_9c1050b2c8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787719700/)
9 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787719700/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8296/7787720028_949dcc93b1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787720028/)
10 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787720028/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Opp to Virtusa building

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7787720416_5022a2c9fc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787720416/)
11 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787720416/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8438/7787720868_261ab68583_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787720868/)
12 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787720868/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Portals helping the line slip to the left before the adyar river(kasi theatre) bridge..

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7787721340_daefecaeb9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787721340/)
13 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787721340/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Thats a beautiful curve :drool:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8299/7787721750_5ff7cb6cf9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787721750/)
14 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787721750/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8446/7787722126_c55031eb42_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787722126/)
15 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787722126/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

The Gantry has already crossed most of the river width ...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8282/7787722514_5537e560d9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787722514/)
16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787722514/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Less than a dozen pillars before the line joins Kasi theatre completed portion...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/7787722914_dce239270e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787722914/)
17 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787722914/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/7787723676_63c5230f31_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787723676/)
18 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787723676/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Portal for the convex curve to move back to median ...
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=94213075
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7787724224_ae6e28b812_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787724224/)
19 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787724224/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Kasi theatre ..

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7787724628_29bb9d969d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787724628/)
20 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787724628/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7787725132_12ac401d8f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787725132/)
21 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787725132/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

BSNL Exchange

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/7787725620_7e6db1a7bf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787725620/)
22 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787725620/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Concave curve now .. :nuts:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/7787726096_c6d134e9b5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787726096/)
23 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787726096/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Pillar portals before another concave curve at udhayam jn.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/7787726550_e67ea32188_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787726550/)
24 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787726550/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8425/7787727002_9c7e434df8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787727002/)
25 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787727002/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Udhayam jn. :banana:Just two pillars ... Then the ganty will kiss the Ashok pillar station :banana:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/7787727510_00965000bc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787727510/)
26 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787727510/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7787728042_19f4c9d93c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787728042/)
27 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787728042/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7787728552_fb62dda0b1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787728552/)
28 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787728552/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/7787729066_fb515004e8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787729066/)
29 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787729066/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7260/7787729800_70887c9f30_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787729800/)
27a (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787729800/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/7787731612_c6527fc20e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787731612/)
27b (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787731612/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8430/7787732076_dcb5b71dbd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787732076/)
27c (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787732076/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Ashok pillar station...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/7787730298_03e637773f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787730298/)
30 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787730298/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7787731032_b227158ca2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787731032/)
28a (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7787731032/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

:cheers: darkprinz

my god .....it's been a while since i visited Chennai so it's great to see the barricades removed. It opens up so much space...:)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8430/7787732076_dcb5b71dbd_z.jpg

:applause:

awesome updates DP...
after the barricades removed, is the roads are black topped again?

Superb updates!! Thanks DP!! :)

awesome updates DP...
after the barricades removed, is the roads are black topped again?

No. :ohno:

road towards udhayam theatre near bsnl is pathetic... the middle part where previous median was removed... vehicles face so much difficulty is taking right or left... CMRL should take some initiative for that..

superb pics DP.

some clicks. nothing new. already covered by DP.

Little Mount
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2548/img7600j.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/img7600j.jpg/)

Pillairs over Kathipara. Waiting to see metro train running over it :cheers:
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/8771/img7687in.jpg (http://img534.imageshack.us/i/img7687in.jpg/)

Alandur Station from St.Thomas Mt
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4415/img7686l.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/i/img7686l.jpg/)

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5738/img7696s.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/i/img7696s.jpg/)

excellent CP...
from the photo, on the little mount side, it looks Pillars are curving towards the river. how many lines(road) are there now from Chellammal college to Saidapet Bridge?

is the cross over from corridor 1 to corridor 2 is going to happen before Alandur station(near kathipara) or after Alandur station?

Thanks DP.

Awesome updates CP & DP..!!

Great updates DP and CP :)

excellent CP...
from the photo, on the little mount side, it looks Pillars are curving towards the river. how many lines(road) are there now from Chellammal college to Saidapet Bridge?

There are 3-4 lanes as before. the track goes along the southern side of the road and crosses the little mt junction at the median and goes to the eastern side of the road towards saidapet.

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/5999/lttlemt.jpg


is the cross over from corridor 1 to corridor 2 is going to happen before Alandur station(near kathipara) or after Alandur station?

no idea. hv to wait and see.

Awesome pics DP and CP :) Been long time since I've travelled in these stretches. Feels I'm back travelling on this route :)

Kudos:)

At Chinna Malai stretch, the pillars are too closer to each other (opposite Ashok Leyland) than at other stretches and the span are cast at site while segments are assembled at other sites . Is it to do with soil conditions?

It might have been easier to cast in site due to elevation & critical curve issues as they have to enter the underground section just after the river. The curvature issue also would have also made it to cast-in-situ a better method than segment. This is my guess based on the minimal Civil knowledge I have.

Thanks CP & DP for great pics.

Thank you Darkprinz and Ceeznic Pirate
There is a quote 'A picture can speak 1000 words' and here your pics have given us numerous updates on metro. Thanks much. J
Friends, do we have any new pictures on tunnel boring? Jus wanna see how tunnel looks.

Thanks CP..your picture explains all..

I guess, the line bifurcates near little mount towards the pavements, one for one direction at the station and converges again.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1341/littlemount.jpg

Not sure.. someone correct me if I am wrong.

Now I understand so much of commotion & barricade in this place. Is this station one of it's kind. Most of the other stations are pretty straight.

I guess, the line bifurcates near little mount towards the pavements, one for one direction at the station and converges again.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1341/littlemount.jpg

Not sure.. someone correct me if I am wrong.

It looks to be that way. Pillars are coming up on both sides of the road. I too feel that the two tracks will diverge to either side of the road. There may be two separate platforms with tracks on either side of the road.

The project brief document just mentions it to be '2 Side platforms' like all other elevated stations.

It looks to be that way. Pillars are coming up on both sides of the road. I too feel that the two tracks will diverge to either side of the road. There may be two separate platforms with tracks on either side of the road.

The project brief document just mentions it to be '2 Side platforms' like all other elevated stations.

Vijay this station will rest on portals as the road is a oneway road and it is a interchange point for the traffic below. This was explained by Arul murugan sometime back with a diagram.

At Chinna Malai stretch, the pillars are too closer to each other (opposite Ashok Leyland) than at other stretches and the span are cast at site while segments are assembled at other sites . Is it to do with soil conditions?

I think it might be becos the Gantry crane will not be able to cast the segments if they are too close. After this section the pillars are all portal type ( 2 pillars in the road side and a beam connecting both). So the spans are casted on site.

As per my calculations all sections in ST Thomas mount Koyambedu stretch has less than 3 months of construction left. So there will be continues stretch by then. The spoiler can be station work. Except for CMBT station and Alandur station non of the station has taken shape. Track laying and other works like OHE laying will take another 3 months. So CCCL has to fast pace their work and complete it by mid March next year to open the line by end of 2013

As per my calculations all sections in ST Thomas mount Koyambedu stretch has less than 3 months of construction left. So there will be continues stretch by then. The spoiler can be station work. Except for CMBT station and Alandur station non of the station has taken shape. Track laying and other works like OHE laying will take another 3 months. So CCCL has to fast pace their work and complete it by mid March next year to open the line by end of 2013

Ashok Nagar & Koyambedu stn construction must have reached half way.

The time consuming part of station construction is the foundation piers and coloums. The top side is Steel structure and roofing which can be done pretty fast. I presume the portal frame steel structure would have been prefabricated and ready to go once the bottom portion is complete.

Vijay this station will rest on portals as the road is a oneway road and it is a interchange point for the traffic below. This was explained by Arul murugan sometime back with a diagram.

So, will this station cover the entire road below, like the stations in Mumbai and Bangalore Metro?

In those cities, I see that the entire station (concourse, platforms etc) comes directly over the road. Hence the road below resembles a dark tunnel.

I didnt really like that design. I like how our elevated stations are designed - with only the platform over the road and the ticket counters, concourse etc at the side of the road.

superb pics DP.

some clicks. nothing new. already covered by DP.

Little Mount
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2548/img7600j.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/img7600j.jpg/)

Pillairs over Kathipara. Waiting to see metro train running over it :cheers:
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/8771/img7687in.jpg (http://img534.imageshack.us/i/img7687in.jpg/)

Alandur Station from St.Thomas Mt
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4415/img7686l.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/i/img7686l.jpg/)

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5738/img7696s.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/i/img7696s.jpg/)

Sorry for my lack of knowledge. I am new to here..
What are those multilevel..

^^ Thats Alandur metro station. It has two tiers to accommodate two lines which meet there..

Thank you:cheers:

Taller buildings in metro areas (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/taller-buildings-metro-areas-939)

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_horizontal/article-images/17METRO-TAIL-WORK.jpg.crop_display.jpg

Areas dotting the proposed three metro rail corridors are set to witness a big change on infrastructure development front.

Taking a cue from Delhi metro, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has decided to develop the areas up to half a km located on either sides of the metro rail corridor.

The project, named as transit oriented development, would pave way for all round development of those in the vicinity for which CMDA will launch a study soon.

And the good news for residents in these areas is that state government is contemplating to increase the floor space index (FSI) for buildings and pave way for vertical growth along those stretches.

“On implementation, the localities along the stretches of the metro rail corridors might witness reclassification of ‘land use zones’, as it would enable more developmental activities,” sources in CMDA told DC.

With the government considering increasing FSI (ratio of land area to the built-up space) for buildings along these stretches, property owners would hit a jackpot as property value will shoot up in these areas.

“It has been decided to develop half-a-km area on both sides of the corridor and a consultant has been recently zeroed in to conduct a feasibility study on exploring potential developments that could be carried out on these stretches.

They will also suggest the extent to which the development regulation norms can be modified,” an official said, adding that an increase in FSI for buildings was on cards that would pave way for vertical growth.

The metro rail project is currently being implemented on two corridors – Washermenpet to airport (via Saidapet 23.1 km) and Chennai Central to St Thomas Mount (via Koyambedu).

The Mohit polo / golf stadium near alandur station looks really green from this angle shot. Always remembered it as a barren stadiam. Hadbeen to this place when MGR returned from US.

You are correct, but I guess the lines will not diverge... line may contine above Anna Salai.. but the supporting pillars will fall two sides of the road.

I guess, the line bifurcates near little mount towards the pavements, one for one direction at the station and converges again.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1341/littlemount.jpg

Not sure.. someone correct me if I am wrong.

Debate that happened in feb 2012

It is still mystery how they are going to construct little mount metro station and supporting pillars for the same.

Pillars in the median is not possible here!!

- Traffic from Guindy to SP road
- Traffic from SP road to Anna Salai Saidapet side

needs to criss cross the lane just below the little mount metro station. Please see the below pic for easy understanding!!

Distance b/w constructing pillars are more than 150meters. Usually pillars are placed b/w every 30min... Pillars cannot be constructed in the media for this 150meters because of the above reason.

Today I saw huge excavation in the two sides of the road, marked as blue round in below picture... My guess is that either pillars will be coming in two extreme end or are they trying cable stayed bridge here?? then how little mount station would be placed??

but works are in full swing, in three or 4 months we can get clear picture how they are going to handle this constraint at Little mount.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2hhlsbc.jpg



Thats right Arul, The pillars are coming at both ends of the road (nr. road level platforms) and the middle beam having the Track and platforms.

The excavated portion mentioned in the map are for the STATION PORTIONS on both sides to hold Rooms, Elevators, Steps, etc., (Courtesy: CMRL Little mount station architecture design PDF).

The picture below could give a bit-clear view of the design for Little Mount Station:

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7789/littlemountstationarchi.jpg

The Station's front side design will be like the one mentioned in the right-bottom corner in the pic. But the final completed design could be a bit different, with roof, walls and all...

^^

I guess city police may divert the up Anna Salai traffic into Velacherry road which is parallel to Anna Salai from Ashok Leyland corporate office to Church.

Any way we may get clear picture in 3 or 4months.

Progress of Rolling Stock Works

The Production of 1st train for the Chennai Metro Rail Project is progressing well in Alstom factory in Sao polo, Brazil. The subassemblies are cleared for dispatch during the First Article Inspections is being received in the rolling stock factory in Brazil. Assembly and fitment of these items in the train are also in progress.

CMRL is closely checking and monitoring the quality of the train being manufactured. The Car shell structure qualification test, which is an important test to prove the structural strength of the train to carry the designed load of passengers, is satisfactorily completed, in the presence of CMRL/GC officials.

Another important safety test to prove the resistance to fire and low smoke is planned to be conducted in Europe at the start of next month, and test to prove capability of the traction Equipments is planned for September 2012.

Some of the important materials used by Alstom to manufacture the trains were sampled by CMRL and brought to Chennai. This is under test to check compliance to the specified parameters. A mock-up of the driver’s cabin area of the train is ready in Brazil as shown in the picture. The mock-up after clearance will form the basis for manufacturing features for all the trains and will be brought to Chennai for display.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224717_358684630883073_1267005254_n.jpg


^^

Probably the first image of Chennai Metro.....
:cheers:


Source: Chennai metro FB page

They should lease the pillars to some private companies for AD space. Once they get involved they will find a innovative way to protect their space.

Visually there is a big difference between vinyl back lit jewelry/car/cell company's ADs compared to naai karanda paper poster of politicos and movies.

That is 100% true. Am sure private companies can do wonders and it might look better than local S__ing posters

How about tying cows to these pillars, they can eat up the posters as and then someone sticks a poster on to it. <Just Kidding>

CMRL can try out the green cover climbers over the pillars and grass cover with flowering varieties over the median.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8428/7822448616_3cfc0a40f5_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822448616/)
I4131 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822448616/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8302/7822448936_ec8608e690_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822448936/)
I4132 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822448936/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/7822449258_943db0b6f2_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822449258/)
I4133 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822449258/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7247/7822449608_ba5a7ba8ef_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822449608/)
I4135 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822449608/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7822449900_79d6531ed9_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822449900/)
I4136 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822449900/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7129/7822450264_9b864b4757_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822450264/)
I4139 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822450264/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8304/7822450612_f7b0b11c91_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822450612/)
I4142 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822450612/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr

Taller buildings in metro areas (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/taller-buildings-metro-areas-939)

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_horizontal/article-images/17METRO-TAIL-WORK.jpg.crop_display.jpg

Is the next three corridors in Phase2 chennai Metro rail officially confirmed?
Because I cannot see those information in CMRL website.. Somebody pls clarify.........

Is the next three corridors in Phase2 chennai Metro rail officially confirmed?
Because I cannot see those information in CMRL website.. Somebody pls clarify.........

It is in a state of suspense and animation. Currently it appears the SG would like to focus on Monorail. Perhaps they may revisit this once the Monorail ball is set in motion.

Since SG is a major partner and stake holder, CMRL cannot make independant choice of going by itself. So CMRL is also in a bind.

From all the indications from SG, they have not abandoned the Phase 2 of Metro, as even the routes suggested for Mono are complementary. It is the sincere belief that once Mono construction begins (whenever that is), SG will bring back its focus on Phase 2.

Another aspect of Phase 2 will be funding. The global slowdown and the Mono Phase I on the table will make funding for Phase 2 Metro slightly more difficult than otherwise.

I would love to hear any further updates from anyone.

Monstrosity of a building at St. Thomas Mount!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8304/7822450612_f7b0b11c91_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822450612/)
I4142 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69876940@N04/7822450612/) by Venks Varadharajan (http://www.flickr.com/people/69876940@N04/), on Flickr[/QUOTE]

Where is the next pillar after this ? If it is not in the middle of the road/under bridge, looks like metro will take a sharp turn.
Again nice effort in covering metro DP :cheers:.

DP wonderful coverage, we should change your name to photoprinz. Arul, CP, Vicvin are the real torch bearers (photo bearers) of this blog. But for you folks the whole blog will fade.

How can this thread fade away? Its already 346 pages old :D...huge amount of activity going on

The pictures of DP, CP & vincvin lighten up the blog. I meant that fading. (sorry I am a little weak in English and you have to bear with me). As they say one picture can says a thousand words.

He was telling, if not for these guys the thread would fade.. I agree with MB.. Great work DP/CP/Vicvin/Arul/vijaymail and all contributors!!

Factory acceptance tests on Train Borne communication system

Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of Train Borne Communication System was conducted at Singapore at ST Electronics premises. Officials from CMRL/GC attended the factory acceptance te
sts.
As part of FAT, following things were simulated and tested
1. Hardware inspection of Train Borne Radio
2. Train Borne Radio functional testing
3. Train Borne Radio Multi vehicle bus protocol testing
4. Train Borne Driver only operate CCTV Hardware
5. Train Borne Driver only operate – CCTV functional testing
As part of Train Borne Radio functional testing, Group call, Emergency Group call, Multi vehicle bus protocols, working of public address system etc. were simulated and tested. As part of Train Borne Driver only operate – CCTV functional testing, video from station to Train were simulated and tested via wireless transmission in 2.4 GHz band using Car.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/c259.0.403.403/p403x403/255273_359671137451089_518557358_n.jpg

Source : Chennai Metro FB

^^

Honestly, couldnt understand that....
Can someone explain what do they mean by it?

Factory acceptance tests on Train Borne communication system





Source : Chennai Metro FB

^^

Honestly, couldnt understand that....
Can someone explain what do they mean by it?

Looks like the public address system , CCTV and announcement etc were tested along with some hardware testing. It is just all the announcements either automated , like a sexy female voice, in american accent saying next station koyambedu bus terminus ... Also public address either from the train captain or the control center.... Multi vehicle bus protocol is a communication protocol, or set of rules, used by different electronic components in the train. There will be electronic display saying the next station, and the announcement and the signals such as which side doors open etc that need to be on the same page... All doors in every coach needs to simultaneously open .. For that they use protocols for communication between all electronic parts in a train.

The most common usage of multi vehicle bus protocol is cars. Like all electronics communicate with each other, in a specialized protocol call controlled area networks (CAN) ... These days almost everything is electronic from breaking to break lights . So a break needs to communicate electronically not mechanically with the break lights so these protocols help in them.

Cross Posting:


Here's how the metro network for Chennai could have looked if extended.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Chennai_Metropolitan_Area_Transit_Diagram.png/800px-Chennai_Metropolitan_Area_Transit_Diagram.png (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/Chennai_Metropolitan_Area_Transit_Diagram.png)

Credits: PlaneMad

Amazing map :cheers:

Cross Posting:




Credits: PlaneMad

I think the proposed metro3 is from Moolakadai via perambur to Thiruvanmaiyur.

But map shows it starts from Redhills and reach perambur without touching Moolakadai.

I heard that CMRL had visited the Moolakadai Junction and made some prelimenary checks and marked few spots and the moolakadai flyover is getting constructed in such a way that it is not disturbing the Metro train alignment.

Regards,
Nirmal

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2012/08/26/4/Img/Pc0041100.jpg
CHENNAI: A tunnel is taking shape 18 metres below Poonamallee High Road even as traffic buzzes by above. The giant machine, which began boring under Nehru Park on July 28, has dug a 13-metre tunnel towards Egmore.

It has also installed concrete linings on the bored portion. Tunnelling is being done from Nehru Park towards Egmore, a 939-metre stretch on the Central-Koyambedu-St Thomas Mount line that metro plans to cover in five months. The Central-Koyambedu line will run under ground.

"The soil is rocky, so we have programmed the machine accordingly. The machine bores and installs tunnel walls made up of seven segments of concrete. Boring and tunnel lining is automatic," said a metro rail official.

A tunnel-boring machine is like a train comprising units to install tunnel linings and gantries that carry other equipment. It also has a provision to transport the loose soil after boring.

The direction and alignment of boring is guided by an automatic alignment and monitoring control system developed with Japanese technology. Metro rail officials are also monitoring the safety of buildings on either side of the main road.

Another tunnel boring machine is ready to start work on a tunnel parallel to the one from Nehru Park to Egmore. "It is yet to start work," the official added. Eleven tunnel boring machines will be used.

Tunnel boring machines have been lowered and assembled at May Day Park and Shenoy Nagar too. "Some minor works need to be completed before tunnelling begins," said an official.

Works on constructing shafts to lower boring machines are on at different parts of the city.

Diaphragm walls to build underground stations are complete at Washermenpet, May Day Park and Shenoy Nagar, and excavation of soil will begin soon. The walls will prevent earth from collapsing when soil is scooped out to build underground stations at a depth of 20 metres.

Walls are being built below the surface at all other underground station sites, including Mannadi, high court, Chennai Central, Egmore, Government Estate, LIC, Thousand Lights, Gemini, Teynampet, Chamiers Road, KMC, Pachaiyappa's College, Anna Nagar East, Anna Nagar Tower and Thirumangalam.

Source: TOI, chennai edition, dated 26-Aug-2012 (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Metro-rail-tunnel-takes-shape-under-Poonamallee-High-Road/articleshow/15720519.cms)

I heard that CMRL had visited the Moolakadai Junction and made some prelimenary checks and marked few spots and the moolakadai flyover is getting constructed in such a way that it is not disturbing the Metro train alignment.

Regards,
Nirmal

Metro phase 2 - Is it really going to happen?? Sach - suspense being unravelled?

Is this the first underground Metro in India?

25th Aug. OTA-Alandur stn
1) last pillar in the GST road median
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/9686/dsc03247z.jpg
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/6430/dsc03248e.jpg
Alandur stn
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6568/dsc03249l.jpg
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5092/dsc03250al.jpg

Kathipara-Kasi theatre
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/797/dsc03252h.jpg
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/6589/dsc03253e.jpg

Sidco stn
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/8391/dsc03254wp.jpg

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/8103/dsc03257gy.jpg

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/251/dsc03259j.jpg

Adyar river
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/7325/dsc03260tj.jpg

Before kasi theatre on left side
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/8602/dsc03261ja.jpg

opp to KASI theatre median
http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/9636/dsc03263gc.jpg
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/5582/dsc03264kc.jpg
telephone xchange
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1723/dsc03265u.jpg

Is this the first underground Metro in India?

Kolkata was the first, followed by Delhi. Underground metros are under construction in Bangalore and Jaipur also.

Ashok Nagar station
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/2940/dsc03267q.jpg
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8704/dsc03268t.jpg

Nr Hot chips Junction
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3172/dsc03269g.jpg
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/1230/dsc03270r.jpg
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3839/dsc03271i.jpg

Vadapalani Metro cum flyover but no viaduct for flyover till now!!
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3517/dsc03272ls.jpg
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/7803/dsc03273g.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/9453/dsc03274k.jpg
near signal
http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/5175/dsc03275y.jpg

It's strange the CMRL underground Drilling machine "Muniyamma" (new name)has done only 13 meters in 30 days. any technical glitch.

Nice updates Mr.Madras :) ... I feel like the posters count stuck on the pillars have actually come down compared to what i observed last time...

Nice Updates :)

How are they going to construct the Vadapalani road flyover now?

Will there be another set of beams from existing pillars now? Is that possible after completing the pillars?

Or will they construct new sets of pillars - Single pillars in between existing pillars or double pillars on the sides?

I have a strong feeling that after the Metro viaducts are over, they are going to say that the road flyover plan has been dropped or shelved or something like that.

^^ I too have the same feeling.. Some experts here have to tell us whether it is possible to do changes to these pillars when they want to accommodate lower tier...

^^ I too have the same feeling.. Some experts here have to tell us whether it is possible to do changes to these pillars when they want to accommodate lower tier...

The two tier pillars should have been made with the provision to build the flyover viaducts like we see in the Jaipur metro


http://dipr.rajasthan.gov.in/photo/HO41048metro-4.JPG

Source:From the GoR's Info and PR Dept:

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/7180/48936429.jpg
credits : IndianUnite (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/member.php?u=52720) post #833 from Jaipur metro (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=91648494&postcount=833)

Vadapalani cross over: On the technical side, it can be done and the pillars and the cross beams have to independent of the Metro rail structure. (something simlar to ORR construction). and also like the station construction. This is basically to avoid the vibration and the traction load due to train movement. It is a designers nightmare if you have train and road traffic load on the same pillars. Let's see if I can contact the Mott MacDonald consultants for CMRL to get the actual plan.

Good photo and example, Unlike the Jaipur Metro we need a six lane flyover or atleast a four lane one to accomadate the IRR traffic.

I think the proposed metro3 is from Moolakadai via perambur to Thiruvanmaiyur.

But map shows it starts from Redhills and reach perambur without touching Moolakadai.

I heard that CMRL had visited the Moolakadai Junction and made some prelimenary checks and marked few spots and the moolakadai flyover is getting constructed in such a way that it is not disturbing the Metro train alignment.

Regards,
Nirmal

That was actually a plan designed by user (PlaneMad), I ain't sure if that's the proposed alignment of the CMRL. But due credits to him for a map that has connectivity to most of the places.

nice updates mr_madras. I too had taken few shots on 25th, but the same stretch as urs. let me see if i can upload a few tonight.

Vadapalani cross over: On the technical side, it can be done and the pillars and the cross beams have to independent of the Metro rail structure. (something simlar to ORR construction). and also like the station construction. This is basically to avoid the vibration and the traction load due to train movement. It is a designers nightmare if you have train and road traffic load on the same pillars. Let's see if I can contact the Mott MacDonald consultants for CMRL to get the actual plan.

Do you mean to say that independent pillars for road flyover can now be constructed between the Metro pillars?

The pillars for flyover and metro is separate. I guess flyover pillar is also u/c.

DP, pls click pics after crossing Vadapalani signal while traveling from Kasi theater to Koyamedu.

Last week I saw pillars close to each other... i.e distance b.w two pillars are less compared to usual distance b/w metro pillars! So I guess metro and flyover pillars will fall alternate.:)

The pillars for flyover and metro is separate. I guess flyover pillar is also u/c.

DP, pls click pics after crossing Vadapalani signal while traveling from Kasi theater to Koyamedu.

Last week I saw pillars close to each other... i.e distance b.w two pillars are less compared to usual distance b/w metro pillars! So I guess metro and flyover pillars will fall alternate.:)

Nice Updates :)

How are they going to construct the Vadapalani road flyover now?

Will there be another set of beams from existing pillars now? Is that possible after completing the pillars?

Or will they construct new sets of pillars - Single pillars in between existing pillars or double pillars on the sides?

I have a strong feeling that after the Metro viaducts are over, they are going to say that the road flyover plan has been dropped or shelved or something like that.

^^ I too have the same feeling.. Some experts here have to tell us whether it is possible to do changes to these pillars when they want to accommodate lower tier...

Vadapalani cross over: On the technical side, it can be done and the pillars and the cross beams have to independent of the Metro rail structure. (something simlar to ORR construction). and also like the station construction. This is basically to avoid the vibration and the traction load due to train movement. It is a designers nightmare if you have train and road traffic load on the same pillars. Let's see if I can contact the Mott MacDonald consultants for CMRL to get the actual plan.

Do you mean to say that independent pillars for road flyover can now be constructed between the Metro pillars?


Guys, I guess this is the nth time we are discussing about Vadapalani road flyover. The Flyover will be built on separate pillars from the middle of the road which will be alternatively positioned with Metro pillars. If metro pillars are there every 30m, Flyover pillars will also be every 30m and there will be 15m interval between each. As Arul has pointed out, a couple of pillars have come up near the junction which are closer-than-usual to the metro pillars which hold the station. For more clarity on number of piles/pillars built for road flyover have a look at the monthly newsletters. In the Vadapalani station section they have a separate entry for Flyover piles (total 132 piles I guess) 4 piles for each pillar means there would be 33 pillars with roughly 30m gap between each other, so the flyover would be roughly 900m in length as proposed in the earlier news columns.

Progress in manufacturing of train – August 2012.

Productions of the 1st and 2nd train are progressing well in Alstom factory located in Sao polo, Brazil. The stainless steel shells of six cars are already completed. Fitment of thermal insulation and other equipments are in progress.

In line with the production of train, CMRL is checking and monitoring quality of the train manufacturing. CMRL&GC officials have witnessed the shell hold point inspections water leak tests. Materials sampled by CMRL, is brought to Chennai which will be tested for compliance to the specified parameters.

As planned, the test to prove the structural integrity of car floor under fire is successfully completed in Europe in presence of CMRL&GC officials.

Similarly the inspection of the mockup of driver’s cabin of the train is completed by CMRL/GC officials. This will be transported to Chennai for display.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=492098714136658&set=a.414231205256743.109067.404492916230572&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf

Source: CMRL (FB)

Metro reaches out, says don’t fear, work safe
Public Relations Exercise To Reassure Residents

Work on the metro rail project has caused traffic diversions and vehicle snarls, the heavy machinery used wrecking roads and construction activity kicking dust in the faces of motorists with already frayed nerves.
But Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) has launched a public relations exercise, to reassure residents living close to the transit system’s lines where work is progressing and allay fears that tunnelling poses a threat to the stability of their houses.
Before starting tunnelling work in Shenoy Nagar, CMRL organised a public meeting at Shenoy Nagar Park to clarify doubts on the underground work, technology used, routes and cost of the project.
“We screened a documentary on tunnel boring machines (TBM) and how they work,” a CMRL public relation official said. “We wanted to dispel apprehensions that people may have on the safety of tunnelling work.”
The company first reached out to the public in February last year, before the construction started, to persuade people that the transit system would be extremely beneficial and make commuting in the city efficient and easy. “We had to convince people, especially those whose land had to be acquired for the project, why the project was worth some sacrifices,” the official said.
When CMRL officials visited, they took residents of Asiad Colony in Thirumangalam by surprise. The locality was one of the first to be affected by metro work, with road diversions and traffic jams on roads that were earlier free of bottlenecks. “Officials told us about the metro route and traffic diversions required for the work,” said K Ratna Singh, president of Asiad Colony Residents Welfare Association. “They also provided a parking facility at the station and distributed booklets with all the details.”
Officials say people started to react positively after they saw how briskly work was progressing. “We have removed barricades and encroachments on the stretch from St. Thomas Mount to Koyambedu,” said CMRL chief general manager (public relations) S Krishnamoorthy. “There is much more space for vehicles now on Jawaharlal Nehru Road.”
The company has taken its PR online too, with its official Facebook page created some three months getting close to 7,500 likes. “We provide regular updates on Facebook,” said Inderjit Vasudevan Moorthy, who created the page. The company is also active on YouTube and Twitter.

Source - Times Of India
My source - CMRL (FB)

Guys, I guess this is the nth time we are discussing about Vadapalani road flyover. The Flyover will be built on separate pillars from the middle of the road which will be alternatively positioned with Metro pillars. If metro pillars are there every 30m, Flyover pillars will also be every 30m and there will be 15m interval between each. As Arul has pointed out, a couple of pillars have come up near the junction which are closer-than-usual to the metro pillars which hold the station. For more clarity on number of piles/pillars built for road flyover have a look at the monthly newsletters. In the Vadapalani station section they have a separate entry for Flyover piles (total 132 piles I guess) 4 piles for each pillar means there would be 33 pillars with roughly 30m gap between each other, so the flyover would be roughly 900m in length as proposed in the earlier news columns.

Thanks for the clarification.

I understand that this has been discussed so many times before. But I was expecting all pillars to be completed first before, the viaducts were built. So, seeing the metro viaducts, I had a doubt as to whether the new pillars can be built after this.

http://www.maalaimalar.com/2012/08/28110828/brazil-metro-rail-sample-come.html

Touch & believe: Metro prototype is here soon (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2012/08/28&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00303&ViewMode=HTML)


It may take more than a year for metro rail’s trains to start running in the city. But residents will soon be able to touch and feel a metro rail coach, as a prototype, including driver’s cab, will be brought to the city from Brazil in October.
Metro rail has so far only released photos of the train and has also painted a train’s model at some of the work sites.
The prototype, which is taking shape at Alstom’s La Pa factory in Brazil, will be brought to the city so that people will be able to see the kind of rolling stock that metro will be using to operate services when works are completed on the two-corridor project in 2015. A prototype of the driver’s cabin of the train is ready in Brazil.
“It will be a smaller version of the real coach but will have all the features of a train. Its length will be only one-third of the actual length of a coach. The prototype is to ascertain whether the contractor is including all the features and components promised in the contract. It will be kept on display,” says a senior official of the Chennai Metro Rail.
Metro rail plans to make the coach part of its public awareness campaign being conducted at different platforms and forums across the city.
A coach that will be used on trains will be 21850 mm long, 2938mm in wide and will stand 4048mm tall. But, the prototype will be 8330mm long, 2746mm wide and will stand 3795mm tall.
Metro rail will soon decide where to display the coach in the city.
Production of the first and second train is progressing at the Alstom factory. The stainless steel shells of six cars are complete. Chennai metro rail is also checking and monitoring quality of the train’s manufacturing. Metro officials have conducted several inspections and water leak tests at Brazil. A test to prove structural integrity of car floor under fire was successfully completed in Europe when metro rail officials were present.
Factory acceptance test of train borne communication system was conducted at Singapore recently. Hardware of train’s radio, its functioning, operation of CCTV hardware and its feed, working of public address system, emergency group calls and others were checked during the test.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2012/08/28/3/Img/Pc0031300.jpg

Thanks for the clarification.

I understand that this has been discussed so many times before. But I was expecting all pillars to be completed first before, the viaducts were built. So, seeing the metro viaducts, I had a doubt as to whether the new pillars can be built after this.

Yes Vijay, I have the very same question looming in my mind.. How will they use cranes and piling equipments when there is this metro viaduct on top? Remains to be seen what will happen to the fate of this flyover. The only hope I have is that Highways Dept had handed over the flyover job to CMRL and hence I hope it will happen for sure.. Let's see! Fingers crossed..

Somebody who is active on FB shall ask a question to CMRL about this Vadapalani flyover.. Please...

Somebody who is active on FB shall ask a question to CMRL about this Vadapalani flyover.. Please...

FB page - Chennai Metro is not the official page of CMRL. It is run by some private enthusiasts.

Many people may not know this.

https://www.facebook.com/chennaimetrorail is the official page, run by a private org just like the page for CCTP, but authorized by the respective agencies..

Tunnel boring work photos at Nehru Park Station.

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2386/62534521.jpg

Tunnel boring works are in progress from nehru park towards egmore. so far 35 rings have been completed . Each ring is having a width of 1.2 m.

Source : http://www.facebook.com/chennaimetrorail

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8428/7880299612_7d89646de3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880299612/)
DSC_0499 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880299612/) by abhilashlr (http://www.flickr.com/people/35251100@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8442/7880297832_553759d257.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880297832/)
DSC_0500 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880297832/) by abhilashlr (http://www.flickr.com/people/35251100@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/7880311038_7e4d2b64dd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880311038/)
DSC_0501 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880311038/) by abhilashlr (http://www.flickr.com/people/35251100@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8442/7880308936_c889cba428.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880308936/)
DSC_0502 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880308936/) by abhilashlr (http://www.flickr.com/people/35251100@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8446/7880305940_3035f707cb.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880305940/)
DSC_0503 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880305940/) by abhilashlr (http://www.flickr.com/people/35251100@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7260/7880304028_c6e88152f5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880304028/)
DSC_0504 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880304028/) by abhilashlr (http://www.flickr.com/people/35251100@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8441/7880302044_e956fde2f2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880302044/)
DSC_0505 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880302044/) by abhilashlr (http://www.flickr.com/people/35251100@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7264/7880265150_2aa2817436.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880265150/)
DSC_0506 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880265150/) by abhilashlr (http://www.flickr.com/people/35251100@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8308/7880261068_09d2ea47a6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880261068/)
DSC_0507 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880261068/) by abhilashlr (http://www.flickr.com/people/35251100@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/7880257638_14700b7f65.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880257638/)
DSC_0508 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880257638/) by abhilashlr (http://www.flickr.com/people/35251100@N03/), on Flickr

FB page - Chennai Metro is not the official page of CMRL. It is run by some private enthusiasts.

Many people may not know this.

^^
TFS... thats something which I dont know...

Hi guys ,
Have been browsing about chennai metro rail in few websites . In Wikipedia , It says that MRTS is now under CMRL . Is this true ?? And i also heard that their are plans for the washermanpet - chennai airport corridor to be extended to tambaram..

Touch & believe: Metro prototype is here soon (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2012/08/28&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00303&ViewMode=HTML)

Tunnel boring work photos at Nehru Park Station.

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2386/62534521.jpg

Tunnel boring works are in progress from nehru park towards egmore. so far 35 rings have been completed . Each ring is having a width of 1.2 m.

:banana::banana:First pics of Chennai Metro Tunnel :banana::banana:

Source : http://www.facebook.com/chennaimetrorail



http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/7880257638_14700b7f65.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880257638/)
DSC_0508 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35251100@N03/7880257638/) by abhilashlr (http://www.flickr.com/people/35251100@N03/), on Flickr[/QUOTE]

Nice pics abhilash :)


From what i observed today ... All the pillars including the closely placed ones at vadapalani are forming the same metro gradient... By logic if they alternate ones are the flyover pillars they should be of different height right ?? Plz correct me if am wrong

FB page - Chennai Metro is not the official page of CMRL. It is run by some private enthusiasts.

Many people may not know this.

Kannan sir, after the initial complaints we made about the unofficial FB page a few months later CMRL started their official page https://www.facebook.com/chennaimetrorail.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/621694_492098714136658_1595477953_o.jpg

Exteriors of the Chennai Metro Coaches

Source: Chennai Metro, FB page (http://www.facebook.com/chennaimetrorail)

will there be any portals built for the tracks to move from center of GST road to airport compound for UG section?

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01192/vbk-28rs-train_tri_1192359f.jpg

By 2015, when the city’s metro rail network is up and running, users will have access to trains every 4.5 minutes in peak hours and every 15 minutes during lean hours. The trains will halt for about 30 seconds in each station.

“The trains will travel at an average speed of 34 km per hour. This means that it will take only 40 minutes for passenger to travel from Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount, a distance of 22 kilometres,” an official at Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) said.

The four-car trains will have a capacity to carry 1,276 people and six-car trains will be able to hold 1,580 people. However, only four-car trains will be rolled out initially and later, depending on the need, six-car trains may be introduced, he added.

A single four-car train trip will be able to take the place of 16 buses, 300 cars and 600 two-wheelers. In 2016, the number of people using the station during peak hours is expected to be around 24,968 in corridor I from Washermenpet to Chennai Airport and 24, 324 in corridor II from Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount.

Only some stations, including Alandur, Airport, Chennai Central and Washermenpet will have parking facilities. The other stations may not have this provision owing to lack of space.

“Although the stations will have granite flooring, vitrified tiles with a slight embossment will be laid for the visually impaired to find their way from the station to the train,” sources said.

A ramp will also be provided for the differently-abled,” he said.

While the ticket fares have not been decided on yet, sources indicated they could range between Rs. 8- 23.

“It is too early to talk about the fares. The decision will be taken only when the process nears completion, depending on the cost of bus fares and several other criteria,” he added.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3832896.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01192/vbk-28rs-cmrl_1192358f.jpg

A team of young engineers – who spent a year at IIT-Madras learning about metro rail technology and management – are now part of the Metro Rail contingent that is executing the mega project in the city.

On completion of the postgraduate diploma course offered by IIT- Madras in association with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), the first batch of students who pursued the course has been placed across different departments of CMRL, including construction, electrical, underground, signalling and telecommunications and systems divisions.

According to K. Ramamurthy, dean (academic courses), IIT-Madras, the course is one of the institution’s user-oriented programmes. As many as nine students have been absorbed from the first batch, he said. Students looking to pursue the course are selected jointly by CMRL officials and IIT-M professors based on GATE scores and an interview. On successful completion of the programme, they are absorbed by CMRL, which also funds the programme.

“At a send-off party for the students in which officials of CMRL as well as professors from IIT participated, students said they were at an advantage because they have already spent time as a team. They are in a good position to appreciate the challenges faced in other departments as their friends would tell them. This will help cultivate synergy among different divisions,” he said.

K. Rajaraman, managing director, CMRL, said while the course provided a strong academic foundation for the candidates, it is only hands-on training that would strengthen their perspective and understanding of how the project is actually being carried out. “They spent about 15 days at Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and were trained in certain aspects of the project. Now, they are actually spending time on the sites,” he said. One year of academic training and another year of on-the-job training, Mr. Rajaraman said, would equip the students well for the complex project.

The current batch, the second group of engineers to pursue the diploma programme, has 13 candidates. During the course, CMRL pays students a stipend of Rs. 20,000 per month and later, increases their salary once they are recruited. The new CMRL recruits sound excited about their first job. E. Brigita, a civil engineer placed in the underground construction division, said: “I am fascinated by the enormous learning opportunity this project offers.”

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3832900.ece?homepage=true

Chennai metro includes 2 lines totaling 45.1 kms. It is slated to be completed by 2014.This railway track many city people covered . Thomas Mount will serve as interchange stations for both corridors.

Only some stations, including Alandur, Airport, Chennai Central and Washermenpet will have parking facilities. The other stations may not have this provision owing to lack of space.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3832896.ece

While this is ok for now, CMRL, CMDA or the state government should look at acquiring some properties in the vicinity of the other stations and construct multi-level parking lots, mainly for two-wheelers.

The ground floor of this parking lot can be made into demarcated bays for MTC buses and mini buses, autos, share autos and private vehicles dropping / picking up ppl.

The higher floors can be for parking lots.

Hope someone thinks about it.

Duplicate post

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01192/TH29_METRO_1192335f.jpg

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has identified a consultant for a detailed study on densification (primarily increasing the built-up space) of the Chennai Metro Rail Corridors.

The study was expected to start in June but was delayed by the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Ltd., which has only now identified a consultant. The study will now be completed in six months, senior officials of CMDA said.

CMDA has signed an MoA with the consultant and the first meeting on densification will be held on September 5.

Buildings within 500 metres on either side of the metro rail corridor will be permitted a higher Floor Space Index (FSI) based on the study.

The decision on the FSI limit will be crucial for optimum use of the metro rail, as buildings surrounding it will be able to accommodate more people, potentially leading to an increased use of the trains.

CMDA had initiated the process after CMRL made a proposal for densification along the metro rail Corridor a few years ago.

As CMDA planners had expressed reservations on account of the absence of any study by CMRL to prove that densification would have a positive impact on metro rail, the study will be crucial for the review of the master plan of the Chennai Metropolitan Area.

CMDA officials will stress the need to address issues pertaining to parking space near the proposed stations as part of the densification.

The study is likely to explain how CMRL station on both sides of the rail influence the areas around it and affect present modes of transport.

The consultant will also carry out a household survey within the ‘influence areas’ and review development regulations in the light of the metro rail network. The proposed monorail stretches will not be covered in the study as of now.



source: The Hindu, Chennai edition, dated 29-Aug-2012 (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3832894.ece)

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/PUBLICATIONS/DM/DINAMALAR/2012/08/29/Photographs/005/29_08_2012_005_016_001.jpg

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/PUBLICATIONS/DM/DINAMALAR/2012/08/29/Article//005/29_08_2012_005_015.jpg



Source: Dinamalar, Chennai edition, dated 29-Aug-2012

Translation:
- Two TBMs have been lowered into the site at May Day park yesterday
- They are being prepared for drilling and the drilling will commence from the end of next week.

- Totally 11 TBMs will be used.
- At present, Two TBMs has been placed at sites in Washermanpet and shenoy Nagar. One TBM has been deployed in Nehru Park.
- Now, two more TBMs have been placed in May day park.

-----------------------

If they've only now lowered the TBM, can they start drilling by next week end? Looking at Nehru park, it appears that the assembling takes almost a month. So, not sure what exactly are they meaning.

Metro tunnels 42 meters in a month-

Why is tunneling progressing this slow...

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/metro-tunnels-42-meters-month-035

^^

The answer is in the article itself

CMRL has set a 90-day deadline for completing the 939meter-long tunnel from Nehru Park to Egmore. “As the machine is new and dredging is only at the initial stages, the pace is relatively slow.

This would increase and the peak capacity would be achieved in the coming days,” said a senior CMRL official preferring anonymity.

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01192/vbk-28rs-train_tri_1192359f.jpg3
By 2015, when the city’s metro rail network is up and running, users will have access to trains every 4.5 minutes in peak hours and every 15 minutes during lean hours. The trains will halt for about 30 seconds in each station.

“The trains will travel at an average speed of 34 km per hour. This means that it will take only 40 minutes for passenger to travel from Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount, a distance of 22 kilometres,” an official at Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) said.

The four-car trains will have a capacity to carry 1,276 people and six-car trains will be able to hold 1,580 people. However, only four-car trains will be rolled out initially and later, depending on the need, six-car trains may be introduced, he added.

A single four-car train trip will be able to take the place of 16 buses, 300 cars and 600 two-wheelers. In 2016, the number of people using the station during peak hours is expected to be around 24,968 in corridor I from Washermenpet to Chennai Airport and 24, 324 in corridor II from Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount.

Only some stations, including Alandur, Airport, Chennai Central and Washermenpet will have parking facilities. The other stations may not have this provision owing to lack of space.

“Although the stations will have granite flooring, vitrified tiles with a slight embossment will be laid for the visually impaired to find their way from the station to the train,” sources said.

A ramp will also be provided for the differently-abled,” he said.

While the ticket fares have not been decided on yet, sources indicated they could range between Rs. 8- 23.

“It is too early to talk about the fares. The decision will be taken only when the process nears completion, depending on the cost of bus fares and several other criteria,” he added.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3832896.ece

CMBT-Omni bus stand metro station civil works almost completed. I guess soon exterior and interior work should start.:cheers:

I thought Alandur station constuction is ahead of all metro station... but above metro station might be the fastest one.

there will be a set of two flyovers, 540 metres long, running besides the piles for the metro rail above them. Each flyover, around 7.5 metres wide, “will be 8.5 metres above the ground while the rail line will be 15 metres from the ground

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2012/03/24/2/Img/Pc0020400.jpg

vadapalani station cum flyover from TOI



Guys, I guess this is the nth time we are discussing about Vadapalani road flyover. The Flyover will be built on separate pillars from the middle of the road which will be alternatively positioned with Metro pillars. If metro pillars are there every 30m, Flyover pillars will also be every 30m and there will be 15m interval between each. As Arul has pointed out, a couple of pillars have come up near the junction which are closer-than-usual to the metro pillars which hold the station. For more clarity on number of piles/pillars built for road flyover have a look at the monthly newsletters. In the Vadapalani station section they have a separate entry for Flyover piles (total 132 piles I guess) 4 piles for each pillar means there would be 33 pillars with roughly 30m gap between each other, so the flyover would be roughly 900m in length as proposed in the earlier news columns.

Thanks for the clarification.

I understand that this has been discussed so many times before. But I was expecting all pillars to be completed first before, the viaducts were built. So, seeing the metro viaducts, I had a doubt as to whether the new pillars can be built after this.

Prabhu,

above is the plan and the news appeared in March 2012. So we are wrong!! Those two pillars which are constructed nearby are to distribute the load of viaduct on both sides for the Vadapalani signal Arcot road gap.

Two independent flyovers to be built as per the plan... so land acquisition will cost huge!!!

Metro rail tunneling work at Nehru Park.

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/1470/24825132.jpg

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/PUBLICATIONS/DM/DINAMALAR/2012/08/30/Article//106/30_08_2012_106_018.jpg


Source: Dinamalar, chennai edition, dated 30-Aug-2012 (http://www.dinamalar.com/district_detail.asp?id=538201)

Translation:
- Metro station works in Koyambedu-CMBT station are going on pretty fast. 70% of the works are already completed and the station is expected to be completed by this year end.
- The station has 3 levels - First level for ticketing counters, station control room, electrical maintenance room, wash rooms etc. ; second level for station manager rooms, station electricity maintenance room, lift rooms etc. The platforms will come up above that.
- there will be staircases and escalators to move between the levels.
- More than 200 workers are working on this station. This will be the first station to be completed.

- Works at other stations are also progressing fast
- Koyambedu market station: works on the first level are progressing fast
- Arumbakkam station: Soil testing completed. Pillars being constructed
- Vadapalani station: The 'I-Girders' for the track viaduct is being built
- Ashok Nagar: 14 Pillars have been completed (Actually in reality, more work has been completed)

-------------------------------

Are reporters reading our threads to get ideas for news articles? Only yesterday, Arul mentioned that the CMBT station is progressing fast. now, a news article telling exaclty that :nuts:

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2012/08/30/3/Img/Pc0031300.jpg
FIRST LOOK: The metro rail tunnel under Ponnamallee High Road near Nehru Park. The tunnelling work began in the last week of July. Machines have dug up earth and fixed tunnel walls for about 35 metres so fare. Metro rail is planning to use 11 such machines in different parts of the city to bore tunnels. The machines have the capacity to bore up to five metres a day

all jalebis posted in pics ..:lol::lol:

These tunnels look like a tight fight for the train. The NYC subway tunnels are much wider and have service platforms by the side of the tracks. Are they tunnelled or open pit construction.

-------------------------------

Are reporters reading our threads to get ideas for news articles? Only yesterday, Arul mentioned that the CMBT station is progressing fast. now, a news article telling exaclty that :nuts:

I had the same thought while reading the article this morning.

From Kathipara(pic taken from Airport-guindy loop)

Towards Vadapalani
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/3473/metro1y.jpg (http://img825.imageshack.us/i/metro1y.jpg/)

Little Mount

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/6158/metro5.jpg (http://img337.imageshack.us/i/metro5.jpg/)

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/2444/metro4r.jpg (http://img641.imageshack.us/i/metro4r.jpg/)

Metro goining underground - Saidapet Bridge

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/564/metro6.jpg (http://img835.imageshack.us/i/metro6.jpg/)

Guindy

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/1580/metro3uh.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/metro3uh.jpg/)

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/6185/metro7.jpg (http://img832.imageshack.us/i/metro7.jpg/)

Pillars inside Kathipara loop. Pic taken near LeMeridian :cheers:

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/8274/metro2l.jpg (http://img69.imageshack.us/i/metro2l.jpg/)

Metro works started at Airport!!
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5135/metro8.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/metro8.jpg/)

Crop from above pic
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/4709/metro9.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/i/metro9.jpg/)

Excellent Photos CP....
little mount last pillar to Saidapet river bridge 1st pillar is the distance too much and entire span will be there without any more pillar support?

AAI innum airport ramp mudikaliya? :(

These tunnels look like a tight fight for the train. The NYC subway tunnels are much wider and have service platforms by the side of the tracks. Are they tunnelled or open pit construction.

Our New Subway Tunnels are the same size....Metro Tunnels don't need to be that big. Regional & High Speed Rail Tunnels need to be huge....to fit the larger trains... These tunnels appear to bored which everybody does these days , its faster and does not disturb the neigborhoods above.

So are these pillars inside the Kathipara Loop 24 metres tall?

And next time I visit Chennai (maybe May 2014) will I be able to take a metro from the Airport to Pachayypas College Station in Kilpauk? :happy:

Metro tunnelling to begin at two more locations

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Metro-tunnelling-to-begin-at-two-more-locations/articleshow/16045518.cms

So are these pillars inside the Kathipara Loop 24 metres tall?

And next time I visit Chennai (maybe May 2014) will I be able to take a metro from the Airport to Pachayypas College Station in Kilpauk? :happy:

No. The pillars in these pics are of corridor 1 which run at level 1 (approx 18m). It is the pillars of corridor 2 in kathipara that will be 24m tall

Excellent Photos CP....
little mount last pillar to Saidapet river bridge 1st pillar is the distance too much and entire span will be there without any more pillar support?

AAI innum airport ramp mudikaliya? :(

There is one more pillar (not in the photos) coming at Saidapet river bridge(which will be the Saidapet river bridge 1st pillar). The distance will be almost the same distance as the distance between the first two pillars in the below pic
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/6158/metro5.jpg

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/2444/metro4r.jpg
but from seeing the barricade in the above pic, I doubt whether a portal might come up.

I think crossover will happen between Alandur and St. Thomas Mt Station. The pillars(in pairs) go wide for some distance after Alandur station towards st.Thomas mt. Not sure though.

I think crossover will happen between Alandur and St. Thomas Mt Station. The pillars(in pairs) go wide for some distance after Alandur station towards st.Thomas mt. Not sure though.

AFAIK the Cross over point is very close to the St Thomas Station just before it enters the station, most probably on the curvature near the St Thomas Mount Subway.

From Herrenknecht stall at Indo German Mela

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4430/sam0238d.jpg (http://img14.imageshack.us/i/sam0238d.jpg/)

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/8324/sam0239gl.jpg (http://img819.imageshack.us/i/sam0239gl.jpg/)

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/9369/sam0240j.jpg (http://img571.imageshack.us/i/sam0240j.jpg/)

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8424/sam0243d.jpg (http://img6.imageshack.us/i/sam0243d.jpg/)

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2739/sam0244k.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/sam0244k.jpg/)

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2038/sam0245d.jpg (http://img337.imageshack.us/i/sam0245d.jpg/)

Pics (http://www.flickr.com/photos/martyngomersall/sets/72157630046236614/with/7903939866/)

Pics (http://www.flickr.com/photos/martyngomersall/sets/72157630046236614/with/7903939866/)

Those are some really awesome pictures!!!! Thanks a lot for sharing. :)

Looks like only trial run is possible by 2014 if at all .. even for the elevated sections. The commercial run wont be possible before 2015.

P.S: A small update. Roads have been relaid near the median from Vadapalani to Arumbakkam station.

Looks like only trial run is possible by 2014 if at all .. even for the elevated sections. The commercial run wont be possible before 2015.

P.S: A small update. Roads have been relaid near the median from Vadapalani to Arumbakkam station.

I think they can still target jun 2013 for starting trials. Stations may not be ready. But I feel they can quickly finish the remaining sections in Koyambedu - mount stretch soon (at least till alandur).

Pending Viaduct constructions:
- Ashok Nagar: Hot Chips junction - Soma / L & T Handshake area

Here all pillars are ready. Soma has finished 2 pillars and 3 portals. While L& T has finished 3 pillars and a portal. The viaduct construction will start soon. so, I hope we can see this completed by mid Nov.

- Ashok Nagar: Front of Udayam theatre.

Only one more span left. The girder is right on top of the junction in front of Udayam theatre. Spans usually take a week to 10 days.

We can hope for Sep end latest. (mostly will be done by Sep 15)

- Adayar River portion after Kasi Theatre

Viaduct has crossed the river starting from Ekaduthangal side and has reached the Kasi theatre side. Viaduct still has 3 more spans before reaching portal in front of Kasi theatre.

One Pillar under construction (casting going on). A portal and a median pillar just after Kasi theatre needs to be built.

This will take time. So, I think this can be done by Nov end or Dec mid.

- Kathipara
There are four portals and lots of pillars to be done between Kathipara and Alandur Station.

Work on first portal after SIDCO station going on.
But this might take more time and will probably be done only by Jan / Feb 2013.

In this stretch, actually the other line from Guindy is in a better shape. Most of pillars between Kathipara and Alandur are done here.

Alandur - Mount
I'm not sure of this stretch as it's been quite a while since I went there.

Vadapani
The girders are in place. The track platform needs to be built. So, I think this will also take till this year end.

If they start parapet wall building, fixing tracks and OHE parallelly, we can hope for a June / july 2013 trials

But what about the rest of facilities - Depot, Control Room, Electricity sub stations, signals etc? Will they be done?

Superb find Murlee. Lot of good pics in there.

Thanks for the updates Vijay

Lanco has completely barricaded one lane of GST from Airport to near OTA

Looks like only trial run is possible by 2014 if at all .. even for the elevated sections. The commercial run wont be possible before 2015.

P.S: A small update. Roads have been relaid near the median from Vadapalani to Arumbakkam station.

I think they can still target jun 2013 for starting trials. Stations may not be ready. But I feel they can quickly finish the remaining sections in Koyambedu - mount stretch soon (at least till alandur).

Pending Viaduct constructions:
- Ashok Nagar: Hot Chips junction - Soma / L & T Handshake area

Here all pillars are ready. Soma has finished 2 pillars and 3 portals. While L& T has finished 3 pillars and a portal. The viaduct construction will start soon. so, I hope we can see this completed by mid Nov.

- Ashok Nagar: Front of Udayam theatre.

Only one more span left. The girder is right on top of the junction in front of Udayam theatre. Spans usually take a week to 10 days.

We can hope for Sep end latest. (mostly will be done by Sep 15)

- Adayar River portion after Kasi Theatre

Viaduct has crossed the river starting from Ekaduthangal side and has reached the Kasi theatre side. Viaduct still has 3 more spans before reaching portal in front of Kasi theatre.

One Pillar under construction (casting going on). A portal and a median pillar just after Kasi theatre needs to be built.

This will take time. So, I think this can be done by Nov end or Dec mid.

- Kathipara
There are four portals and lots of pillars to be done between Kathipara and Alandur Station.

Work on first portal after SIDCO station going on.
But this might take more time and will probably be done only by Jan / Feb 2013.

In this stretch, actually the other line from Guindy is in a better shape. Most of pillars between Kathipara and Alandur are done here.

Alandur - Mount
I'm not sure of this stretch as it's been quite a while since I went there.

Vadapani
The girders are in place. The track platform needs to be built. So, I think this will also take till this year end.

If they start parapet wall building, fixing tracks and OHE parallelly, we can hope for a June / july 2013 trials

But what about the rest of facilities - Depot, Control Room, Electricity sub stations, signals etc? Will they be done?

Vijay, thanks a lot for summarizing so beautifully. I wanted to let you know a small bit of information. CMRL has planned for trial runs in the Koyambedu - STM section only from Nov/Dec, 2013. and commercial runs by Feb/March 2014. So, I think it is too much on our part to expect them to complete it well ahead of time. And I think they will stick to their word and start commercial runs by Feb 2014.

Shyam, about the roads being relaid - thanks for the update. i was about to tell that too. Finally!!! better sense prevailed. They have done something that should have been done months back!!!!

From the cityscape (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=323812&page=247) thread:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/7907002274_aaf0141241_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/prakashkv/7907002274/)
Kathipara &amp; Ekkatuthangal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/prakashkv/7907002274/) by Prakash K V (http://www.flickr.com/people/prakashkv/), on Flickr

^^
So are there two metro lines passing through Kathipara??

Yes, 2 lines pass thru kathipara and merge at Alandur station. ( enna Koduma saravanan sir)

( enna Koduma saravanan sir)

:? Sorry?