Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has sought the Centre’s approval for Phase Two of Metro Rail Project as she laid the foundation for the Phase One Extension of the project in the presence of Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday.

The chief minister said the works on the phase one extension will be completed within three years and would benefit the people of North Chennai.

It would have eight stations and of them, Sir Thiyagaraya College, Korukkupet, Tondiarpet and Tollgate stations would fall within her RK Nagar constituency.

While Metro Rail service had been provided between Koyambedu and Alandur since June 29, last year, the services on the route between Little Mount and Airport would begin in August, and that of Alandur and St Thomas Mount in October. Service in the stretch between Koyambedu and Nehru Park would commence by the year end. In the rest of the route, all works would be completed by next year.

Phase two extension of the 45.1 km Metro Rail involves three more routes, the proposal for which would be sent for the approval of Central government very soon.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that till the previous DMK regime was in power, only three per cent of the works on Metro Rail Project were completed. After her government assumed office, 98 per cent of works have been completed for elevated routes and metro stations while 65 per cent of works have been completed for underground routes and their metro stations.