CMRL Floats Bids for Water Metro Feasibility Study from Ennore to Mamallapuram

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has taken the first step toward exploring a proposed 'Water Metro' system connecting Ennore to Mamallapuram along the Buckingham Canal by inviting bids to conduct feasibility studies.

CMRL floated bids seeking an expert agency to draft both a Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) and a Detailed Project Report (DPR). The primary purpose of the initiative is to examine the viability of the water-based transport project and to keep a structured report ready for evaluation.

Officials indicated that the contract for preparing the DFR and DPR may be awarded within two months. Once the contract is finalized, the selected firm will require a minimum of six to eight months to prepare the reports before submitting the comprehensive findings to the Tamil Nadu government.

A central focus of the upcoming study will be establishing the timeline and requirements for the restoration of the Buckingham Canal. Transport officials have identified the restoration of the water body as the most massive undertaking involved in the entire venture. According to an official, successfully restoring the canal is the key prerequisite for making the Water Metro operational in the city.

The study will also evaluate various practical methods to execute the transport network and analyze whether the corridor can be taken forward. In addition to technical execution and canal restoration needs, the consultant will prepare a detailed cost estimate and formulate a financial model for the project.

Assessments of the social and environmental impacts will also be integrated into the final evaluation. An official stated that conducting the study in advance ensures that detailed data is readily available to determine whether the route along the Buckingham Canal can be realized.