Chennai Metro

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For the elevated railway line, see Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System.

Chennai Metro
A Metro train arriving at Koyambedu station in 2015
A Metro train arriving at Koyambedu station in 2015
Overview
Native nameசென்னை மாநகரத் தொடரி
OwnerChennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL)
LocaleChennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Transit typeRapid Transit
Number of lines2 (operational)
3 (under construction)
Line numberOperational
Number of stations42
Daily ridership0.25 million (2023)[1]
Annual ridership70.7 million (2022-23)[1]
HeadquartersMetroS, Anna Salai, Nandanam, Chennai–600035
Websitechennaimetrorail.org
Operation
Began operation29 June 2015; 8 years ago (2015-06-29)
Operator(s)Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL)
Number of vehicles52
Train length100 m (328 ft)
Headway2–8 minutes
Technical
System length54.65 km (33.96 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC Catenary[2]
Top speed120 km/h (75 mph)
System map

Chennai Metro Rail Network

Chennai Metro is a rapid transit system serving the city of Chennai, India. As of March 2024, the operational network consists of two colour-coded lines covering a length of 54 kilometres (33.55 mi) making it the fifth longest metro system in India. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), a joint venture between Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu built and operates the Chennai Metro. The system uses standard gauge and has a mix of underground and elevated stations.

Planning for the metro started in 2007-08 with the construction commencing in February 2009. Testing began in 2014 and the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety approved the operations in January 2015. On 29 June 2015, commercial operations started between Alandur and Koyambedu stations on the green line and on 21 September 2016, operations on the green line was extended to Chennai Airport and Little Mount. Commercial operations commenced in the first underground section between Thirumangalam to Nehru Park on 14 May 2017 and extended to Chennai central on 25 May 2018.

In May 2018, operations on the blue line commenced between Saidapet and AG-DMS with the extended underground stretch from AG-DMS to Washermanpet of blue line commencing operations on 10 February 2019 completing the phase 1 of the metro. As of 2023, three more lines are under construction covering a length of 116.1 kilometres (72.14 mi) in the second phase and Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System is planned to be taken over by Chennai Metro.

Background[edit]

Chennai Suburban Railway started operating in 1931 on a single electrified line from Chennai Beach to Tambaram with two more lines added connecting Chennai Central with Gummidipoondi in 1985 and Arakkonam later.[3][4] In 1965, the Planning Commission set up a team to study to assess the adequacy and limitation of existing transport facilities, to determine the feasibility of different modes of transport and recommend programmes for development of transport facilities in major metropolitan cities including Madras.[5][6] As a result, the first phase of Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System, India's first elevated line between Chennai Beach and Chepauk opened in 1995 with further extensions to Thirumayilai in 1997, to Thiruvanmiyur in 2004 and to Velachery in 2007.[7][8][9] In 2006, a modern metro rail system was planned for Chennai modeled after the Delhi Metro.[10][11]

Planning and construction[edit]

Phase I[edit]

Chennai Metro
Legend
Phase I
North Line
Wimco Nagar Depot
Wimco Nagar
Tiruvottriyur
Tiruvottriyur Theradi
Kaladipet
Tollgate
New Washermanpet
Tondiarpet
Sir Theagaraya College
West Line
Washermanpet
Basin Bridge
Mannadi
M.G.R Chennai Central
High Court
M.G.R Central
Egmore
Chennai Fort
Nehru Park
Chennai Park
Kilpauk Medical College
Park Town
Government Estate
Pachaiyappa's College
Shenoy Nagar
LIC
Anna Nagar East
MRTS
Anna Nagar Tower
Thousand Lights
Thirumangalam
AG – DMS
Koyambedu Depot
Teynampet
Koyambedu
Nandanam
Jayalalithaa CMBT
Saidapet
Arumbakkam
Little Mount
Vadapalani
Ashok Nagar
Guindy
Ekkattuthangal
Arignar Anna Alandur
Nanganallur Road
St. Thomas Mount
Meenambakkam
MRTS
Chennai International Airport
South Line

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was tasked with preparing a detailed project report on the implementation of metro system in Chennai.[11] Based on the report, the Government of Tamil Nadu approved the first phase of the project in November 2007.[12] The first phase was planned with two lines covering 45.1 km (28.0 mi) with 25 km (16 mi) being underground. The first corridor would connect Washermanpet with Chennai International Airport extending for 23.1 km (14.4 mi) with 14.3 km (8.9 mi) being underground and the second corridor would connect St.Thomas Mount with Chennai Central extending for 22 km (14 mi) with 9.7 km (6.0 mi) being underground.[11] In December 2007, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), a SPV created by a joint venture between Government of India and Government of Tamil Nadu to execute the project.[12] The Planning commission gave in-principle approval for the project in April 2008 with the final approval by the Union Cabinet of Government of India in January 2009.[13][12]

In February 2009, a ₹199 crore (US$25 million) contract was awarded for the construction of a 4.5 km (2.80 mi) long viaduct along the Inner Ring Road between Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar.[14] The construction started on 10 June 2009.[15] In March 2009, a US$30 million contract was awarded to a consortium of five companies headed by French company Egis for technical consultancy on the project.[16] In August 2010, the contract for supplying rolling stock was awarded to Alstom at a cost of US$243 million.[17][18]

In January 2011, a joint venture between Larsen and Toubro and Alstom was awarded the contract for design and construction of track works and a depot at Koyambedu for ₹449.22 crore (US$56 million).[19][20] In June 2011, further tenders for the elevated stations of the first phase were awarded to Consolidated Construction Consortium.[21][22] The contract for supply of lifts and escalators was awarded to a joint venture of Johnson Lifts and SJEC Corporation.[23] In February 2011, contracts were awarded for the construction of underground sections of the first phase to Gammon India and Mosmetrostroy.[24][25] The contract for power supply and overhead electrification was awarded to Siemens for ₹305 crore (US$38 million) and contracts for automatic fare collection (AFC), tunnel ventilation and air conditioning were awarded to Nippon Signal, Emirates Trading Agency and Voltas respectively.[26][27][28]

In July 2012, the first tunnel boring machine was launched and by October 2012, eleven machines were commissioned to bore tunnels along the underground stretch by three consortiums, namely Afcons-Transtonnelstroy, L&T and SUCG.[29] On 6 November 2013, test run was conducted along a stretch of 1 km (0.62 mi) track.[30] On 14 February 2014, the maiden trial run was conducted between Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar stations.[31][32] In August 2014, the metro received the statutory speed certification clearance from the Research Design and Standards Organisation.[33][34] In January 2015, a report was submitted to the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety for approval.[35] In April 2015, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety inspected the rolling stock and submitted the report to the Railway Board.[36][37][38]

On 29 June 2015, commercial operations started between Alandur and Koyambedu stations on the green line.[39] On 21 September 2016, commercial operations commenced between Airport and Little Mount on the same corridor.[40] On 14 May 2017, operations commenced in the first underground line between Thirumangalam to Nehru Park which was extended to Chennai central on 25 May 2018.[41] In May 2018, operations on the blue line commenced between Saidapet and AG-DMS.[42] On 10 February 2019, the underground stretch from AG-DMS to Washermanpet of blue line was opened, completing the first phase of the metro.[43]

Phase 1 Extension

A 9 kilometres (5.59 mi) northern extension of the blue line running from Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar consisting of nine stations.[44][45] Construction started in July 2016 with trial runs in December 2020.[46][47] The line opened for passenger traffic on 14 February 2021, increasing the length of the operational metro system to 54 km (33.55 mi).[40]

Phase II[edit]

In July 2016, Government of Tamil Nadu was announced that the second phase would have three lines totaling 104 km (65 mi) in length with 104 stations.[48][49] Two corridors would extend from Madhavaram connecting with Siruseri and Sholinganallur respectively with the third corridor connecting Koyambedu with Lighthouse. In July 2017, the state government announced an extension in Phase II, involving an extension from Lighthouse up to Poonamallee with an intersection with the Madhavaram–Sholinganallur line at Alwarthirunagar, bringing the total length under the second phase to 116.1 km (72.1 mi).[50] The stations for the second phase were designed to be smaller than the existing stations operational in the first phase.[51] Foundation stone for the second phase was laid on 20 November 2020 and construction commenced after the same.[52] In November 2022, Alstom was awarded the contract to supply metro coaches for the phase II expansion.[53]

Future plan[edit]

In 2017, the Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) system was proposed to be merged and taken over by Chennai Metro.[54] MRTS will be handed over to CMRL by the Southern Railway once the under construction expansion of MRTS is complete and the entire system will be upgraded including tracks, security, ticketing system and rolling stock.[55] In July 2018, PwC said that the merger would be expensive costing around ₹3,000 crore (US$380 million) to change the train-sets and establish other facilities post the merger.[56] On 11 May 2022, Southern Railway of the Indian Railways granted in-principle approval for the Chennai Metro to takeover the MRTS.[57]

Chennai Metrolite has been proposed to connect Tambaram in the existing suburban rail network with Velachery, part of the MRTS network.[58] This is planned to link the existing different urban transit lines in the city.[59][60] In 2023, the feasibility study for the project was commissioned by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority.[59]

In 2021, CMRL proposed an extension to the first phase to connect the Airport with Kilambakkam.[61] Third phase of Chennai Metro has also been planned as a part of the Chennai Comprehensive Mobility Plan.[62] It has also proposed the construction of new rail depots and the development of Central Square around CMRL headquarters with commercial complexes and multi-storied buildings.[63] CMRL will also aid in the development of metro rail transport in the cities of Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli and Madurai.[64]

Line Terminals Length Stations Status
Blue Line Chennai Airport Kilambakkam 16 km (9.9 mi) 12[65] DPR prepared and set to start project.
Red Line(Branch) Koyambedu Pattabiram 21 km (13 mi) 15 Tender floated for DPR preparation.
Orange Line Poonamallee Bypass Parandur 43.63 km (27.11 mi) 19 Tender floated for DPR preparation.
Chennai Metrolite Tambaram Velachery 20 km (12 mi) TBD Feasibility study


Financing[edit]

The estimated base cost of the first phase was ₹14,600 crore (US$1.8 billion) of which 59% was loaned by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).[40] Second phase was estimated to cost ₹36,000 crore (US$4.5 billion) of which ₹4,710 crore (US$590 million) was loaned by JICA.[66][67] On 14 February 2021, Prime Minister of India announced that the government has set aside ₹63,000 crore (US$7.9 billion) for the construction of phase II and further extension.[68]

Network[edit]

The commercial operations of Chennai Metro started between Alandur and Koyambedu stations on the green line on 29 June 2015 with further expansions in September 2016, May 2017 and May 2018 connecting Chennai airport with Chennai central.[40] In May 2018, operations on the blue line commenced between Saidapet and AG-DMS with further expansion in February 2019 to Washermanpet completing 45 km (27.96 mi) in phase 1. A 9 kilometres (5.59 mi) northern extension of the blue line running from Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar was opened for passenger traffic on 14 February 2021 increasing the length of the operational metro system to 54 km (33.55 mi).[69] The metro system provides inter connections with various other transportation modes in the city including the suburban railway, MRTS; main railway line at Chennai Central, Egmore and Tambaram; Chennai International Airport and Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus.[70]

Operational
Line Terminal First operational Last extension Length (km) Stations Rolling Stock Track Gauge
Blue Line Wimco Nagar Depot Chennai Airport 21 September 2016 14 February 2021 32.65 km (20.29 mi) 26 52 trains × 4 cars 1,435 mm (56.5 in)
Green Line Central St. Thomas Mount 29 June 2015 25 May 2018 22 km (13.67 mi) 17
Total 54.65 41 52 trains × 4 cars
Under Construction
Line Terminal Length Stations Rolling stock
Purple Line Madhavaram Milk Colony Siruseri Sipcot 2 45.4 km (28.21 mi) 48 56 trains × 3 cars
Orange Line Poonamallee Bypass Lighthouse 26.1 km (16.22 mi) 28[71] 36 trains × 3 cars
Red Line Madhavaram Milk Colony Sholinganallur 44.6 km (27.71 mi) 45 56 trains × 6 cars
Total 116.1 km (72.1 mi) 121 148 trains × 3 cars

Infrastructure[edit]

Chennai Metro runs on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge and the lines are double-tracked.[72] The average speed of operation is 85 kilometres per hour (53 mph) and maximum speed is 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph).[73]

Rolling stock[edit]

Metro coaches are manufactured by Alstom. Pictured is a metro train rolling into Guindy metro station

Alstom supplies the rolling stock for Chennai Metro.[74] The first nine train sets were imported from Brazil and the remaining were manufactured at a new facility set up near Chennai.[75][76] For Phase I, Alstom supplied 520 train-sets composed of four coaches each with each car measuring 300 metres (984 ft 3 in) in length.[77] The trains are air-conditioned with electrically operated automatic sliding doors and have a first-class compartment with a dedicated section reserved for women.[78]

The trains operate on 25 kV AC traction catenary system with a maximum speed of 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph).[79] The trains are connected to the grid via overhead electric cables and are equipped with regenerative braking with a capacity to recover 30–35% of the energy during braking.[80] The metro consumes an average of 70 MW of power daily and the electricity is supplied by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.[81] Chennai Metro also uses solar power that generates 6.4 MWp which is about 12-15% of the energy requirement.[82]

Stations[edit]

See also: List of Chennai metro stations
Full-height enclosed platform screen doors installed in Chennai Metro's underground stations

A total of 40 stations are operational along the two lines of the Phase 1 with 22 underground stations. In the underground sections, a walkway runs along the length with cross passages every 250 metres (820 ft 3 in) for the maintenance and emergency evacuation.[83] The underground stations have an average width of 200 metres (656 ft 2 in) and average depth of 20 feet (6.1 m) from the ground level.[84] The length of the stations in Phase 1 extension is 180 metres (590 ft 7 in).[85][86] The elevated stations have three levels with the concourse level at a minimum height of 5.5 metres (18 ft 1 in) above the ground level and platform level above the concourse while the underground stations have two levels with platform screen doors.[87] The stations are air-conditioned and are equipped to be disabled and elderly friendly, with automatic fare collection system, announcement system, electronic display boards, escalators and lifts.[88] Paid parking facilities are available for two wheelers in most stations and four wheelers in select stations.[89]

Depots[edit]

Chennai Metro maintains a major depot at Koyambedu covering an area of 26 ha (64 acres) which houses maintenance workshops, stabling lines, test tracks and a washing plant for the trains.[90][91] In 2022, an elevated depot at Wimco Nagar covering an area of 3.5 ha (8.6 acres) commenced operations with facilities for inspection, emergency repair and a washing plant.[92]

Operations[edit]

As of 2022, the metro operates trains from 5 AM to 11 PM with an average frequency of one train every 6 minutes in peak hours and every 12 minutes in lean hours in the blue line and one train every 12 minutes in peak hours and every 18 minutes in lean hours in the green line.[93][94] The main operational control center (OCC) is located in Koyambedu where the movement of trains and real-time CCTV footage obtained is monitored.[95]

Fare and ticketing[edit]

The minimum fare is ₹10 and the maximum fare is ₹50.[96][97]

There are six types of tickets issued by CMRL for travel in Chennai Metro.[98]

  • Single journey tokens, which need to be purchased each time for every journey at the ticket counter or in ticket vending machines available at all stations.
  • Stored value cards (SVC) are pre-paid, rechargeable, travel cards that can be purchased at any ticket counter against a refundable deposit, can be recharged up to at any ticket counter or in automated ticket vending machines at stations and offers discounted fares.
  • Trip cards are for applicable for travel between the same two stations and are available in varied combinations and validity with discounted fares.
  • Tourist cards provide the cardholders unlimited rides on the Chennai Metro system for one day.
  • QR Tickets for single and return journey tickets can be bought through the CMRL mobile app with QR code ticket scanners at stations.[99]
  • Singara Chennai card, a co-branded card launched in 2023 in association with State Bank of India which can be used to access all major other metro and select bus transport systems in India.

Accidents and incidents[edit]

In August 2012, a construction worker was killed and six others were seriously injured due to a crane boom failure near Pachaiyappa's College.[100] On 10 January 2013, a 22-year-old construction worker was killed and three others were injured at a metro rail site between Alandur and St Thomas Mount.[100] On 11 January 2014, a crane toppled over, killing a 20-year-old construction worker and seriously injuring one other worker at the construction site of Saidapet station.[101] On 17 June 2015, a 30-year-old man was killed on the spot and another motorcyclist injured when an iron rod fell on them at an under construction metro rail station near Officers Training Academy at St. Thomas Mount.[102]

Criticism[edit]

Chennai Metro is the second most expensive in terms of ticket cost per kilometer in the country after Mumbai Metro. The fares were temporarily slashed by up to ₹20 by the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in February 2021 with the maximum fare capped at ₹40.[103] In 2019, the Madras High Court questioned the state government on the scientific method it adopted in constructing the tunnels without disturbing the water bodies in the city.[104]

See also[edit]

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External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chennai Metro.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Chennai.