Salem : On August 31 Chennai Metro Rail Limited officials submitted Feasibility study report for MRTS in Salem, Trichy and Nellai cities.

In this report CMRL suggested 2 corridors covers 35Km.

Corridor 1 : Karuppur to Nallikalpatti with 19 stations via Mamangam, Salem junction, 4 Roads, Salem collectorate, Gugai and Dasanaickenpatty covers 18.03 km

Corridor 2 : Ayothiyapatinam Railway station to Uthamasolapuram Karapuranathar temple via Maniyanur, Collectorate, Ammapet and Udaiyapatti areas which covers 17.16 km.

Meanwhile, earlier CMRL officials said that, Salem met minimum Peak Hour Peak Direction (PHPD) parameters, which must met atleast 12000 per hour, CMRL said Salem met the minimum parameters. But now they suggested to Lite Metro system which is low speed, low capacity compare with full fledged Metro, and seperate tracks were to be developed for Lite Metro along side of roads while full fledged Metro used to have elevated corridor and underground routes.

Shortcomings of Feasibility report :

Aarvee associates which won bids for preparing feasibility study report in Salem, did studies only on Salem to Chennai, Banglore, Coimbatore and Karur Roads. They missed most important direction which is Salem – Yercaud road via Hastampatty, and another route which is more important is Salem – Tharamangalam route where Salem Steel plant, Salem Aavin and Salem government medical college were located.

In Salem – Banglore direction they suggested route only upto Karuppur, and they missed Omalur which is major Suburban area of Salem. Periyar University and Goverment Engineering College can give High ridership for metro, atleast 5000-10,000 ridership will recorded in these 2 institutes. Many peoples used to visit Salem from Omalur daily.

Route map with suggested route for reference :

Yercaud Foothills to Tharamangalam can give more fleet to metro. Being Hastampatty and Alagapuram is a commercial stretch of the city this route will give additional support to Salem metro system. And moreover Salem steel plant, government medical college and Aavin will be covered by this route.

CMRL also mentioned in thier press release that these routes are subjected to change in DPR stage. Hope CMRL will consider these requests.