Tamil Nadu Government Explores Multiple Metro Routes To Link Parandur And Meenambakkam Airports

Amidst accelerated plans for Chennai’s second airport in Parandur, the state government recently convened a high-level meeting to discuss the development of the Poonamallee-Parandur Metro Rail corridor.

This initiative comes in response to concerns about commuter accessibility to the proposed Parandur airport in Kancheepuram district which is located approximately 60 km from Chennai’s existing airport.

Initially announced at an estimated cost of Rs 32,704.92 crore in 2022, the Parandur airport project raised environmental and logistical challenges regarding passenger transit.

To address these issues, the state government has expanded its Chennai Metro Rail Phase II project, focusing on establishing seamless connectivity to the new airport site.

The airport project is expected to have an investment-to-return ratio of Rs 100 to Rs 325. Bengaluru, which ranked fifth in 2008 before constructing a new airport, has improved compared to Chennai, which ranked third in 2008. The current airport at Meenambakkam in Chennai has fallen to the fifth position.

State Chief Minister M K Stalin said that both, the existing airport at Meenambakkam and the upcoming airport at Parandur, would function simultaneously, catering to the rapidly increasing demand in the civil aviation sector.

As per The Hindu report, the state government has approved the detailed feasibility report, with ongoing preparations for the detailed project report. "We are considering multiple route options. While the initial feasibility report proposed connecting Poonamallee to Parandur, we are exploring alternatives such as linking the existing Chennai airport metro station directly to Parandur, or establishing a route from Koyambedu," shared an official familiar with the project.

Funding remains a critical consideration for the project’s advancement. "Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project has not received financial support from the Union government. The state government is currently managing costs through loans, presenting significant challenges. We intend to approach the Union government for equity-sharing to facilitate this crucial infrastructure initiative," the official added.

The integration of metro connectivity between Chennai’s existing and new airports aims to streamline travel for both local commuters and transit passengers once both facilities are operational.