CCTS approved as Chennai Transportation Plan

CHENNAI: The state government has urged various departments and implementing agencies to prepare their respective annual plans based on the recommendations of the Chennai Comprehensive Transportation Study (CCTS), according to Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) sources. Sources said this was discussed during a recent meeting attended by the Department of Highways, traffic police, Chennai Corporation, Transport Department, metro rail and local bodies.Sources said the Highways Department, which has the third highest share of 16.8 per cent in the Rs  82,120-crore investment proposal in three phases from 2010, has already started implementing a few of the projects recommended by the study.The report, initiated by the CMDA, is before the government and plans are being worked out to seek funds from the Asian Development Bank and World Bank to fund the projects, sources said. The first phase of the CCTS (2010-15) requires an investment of Rs 52,689 crore.There are plans for a Comprehensive Transportation Plan to address the planning and development of all the public mass passenger transport modes and related infrastructure within the Master Plan in consultation with the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and recommend implementation of the same through the respective transport agencies.Some of the major recommendations of the CCTS are development of a bus rapid transit system and a network of suburban rail for a length of 200 km. The recommendations include construction of the Outer Ring Road for a length of 62 km as a multi-modal corridor. The first phase of development for a length of 30 km is under way, sources said.