DPR for Madurai Metro Rail to be submitted soon: Metro Director

“We are planning to construct 27 railway stations. Among these stations, three would be underground stations near Madurai railway junction/Periyar bus stand, Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and Goripalayam. After submitting the DPR to the state government and obtaining approval from the Union government and with the funding from external agencies, the project will be executed,” he said.

When reporters asked whether the department had taken into consideration the heritage structures near the temple and whether there will be any damages to them due to the construction of the underground metro, the CMRL director noted they examined these factors and are looking at Masi Street or Aavani Moola Street for the construction of the underground station and added that the renowned car festival of Meenakshi temple will not be affected due to the construction.

“As far as the elevated line is concerned, the construction is estimated to be completed within three years and the underground structure will take 4.5 years to be completed. We will submit the DPR of both Coimbatore and Madurai on July 15,” Siddique said

It is to be noted that former finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan during the budget session this year announced that to transform the ever lively and vibrant Madurai as an engine of development of the southern region, the Madurai rail project will be implemented at a cost of Rs 8,500 crore. He noted that the Metro rail will connect Thirumangalam to Othakadai.