Chennai Metro Expansion Plans: Feasibility Study Recommends Extending Services To Avadi, To Benefit Commuters

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has proposed significant expansion plans for the city's metro rail network.

The feasibility reports for these extensions were submitted by CMRL's Managing Director, M A Siddique, to Ramesh Chand Meena, the additional chief secretary for special initiatives.

"The proposed detailed feasibility study recommends Metro Rail for Corridor 5 (Madhavaram-Shollinganallur) Extension from Koyambedu to Avadi via Thirumangalam, Mogappair for a total length of 16.07 km with tentative 15 elevated stations for an approximate estimated cost of Rs 6376.18 crore, " said CMRL MD, reports dtnext.

Additionally, CMRL has suggested an extension of services from Siruseri to Kilambakkam via Kelambakkam, totalling a length of 23.5 kilometres with approximately 12 elevated stations.

The estimated cost for this extension is approximately Rs 5,458.06 crore.

The decision to extend Corridor 5 of Phase II from Koyambedu to Avadi was influenced by recent developments, including the presence of an IT park, available land, and potential future growth in Pattabiram.

CMRL is also considering a possible extension from Avadi to Pattabiram during the detailed project report stage. The exact number of stations for this extension will be determined after a comprehensive alignment study.

Similarly, the extension from Siruseri to Kilambakkam bus terminus will depend on ridership factors. CMRL has suggested enhancing dedicated or improved city bus services in the stretch towards the Kilambakkam bus terminus.

CMRL is also planning an extension of the existing airport stretch that connects Wimco Nagar and Central stations to Kilambakkam.

This project was not initially included in Phase II, and the state government planned to seek approval from the central government after clearance by Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA).

Despite being recommended by the Public Investment Board two years ago, the Rs 61,843 crore Phase II project is yet to receive final approval.

Phase II comprises three corridors: Madhavaram to SIPCOT (corridor-3), Light House to Poonamallee (corridor-4), and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur (corridor-5).

The state government has been funding the project for the past two years, hoping that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs will soon clear the project.

The state government has put forward an ambitious plan for a 93-kilometre extension network, which includes three key segments. These segments encompass a 50-kilometre line running from Poonamallee to Parandur (an extension of corridor 4), a 17-kilometre stretch connecting Koyambedu to Avadi via Thirumangalam and Mogappair (an extension of corridor 5), and a 26-kilometre route from Siruseri to Kilambakkam via Kelambakkam.

CMRL's feasibility study also explores the potential extension of metro services to Avadi and possibly further to Mahabalipuram.