Tamil Nadu Chief Minister announces 15.3km new Airport Metro line in Chennai

Chennai, India (Urban Transport News): Chief Minister M K Stalin on January 6, 2022 announced that a detailed project report (DPR) for extending the metro line from Airport to Kilambakkam is under consideration. Responding to a question at the state assembly, Chief Minister said that the government has commenced action to execute work based on the report.

According to the plan, an elevated metro corridor covering a total distance of 15.3km has been planned to link the Airport at Meenambakkam with Kilambakkam through 13 stations. The estimated cost of this new line would be Rs 3,500 crores. The corridor will connect several densely populated suburbs like Pallavaram, Chromepet, Tambaram, Perungalathur, and Vandalur.

The new airport line will run parallel to the suburban rail network, will also link several landmarks like Tambaram railway station, Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur and the moffusil bus terminus coming up at Kilambakkam.

When the construction of phase-2 of Chennai Metro Rail project (comprising of three new corridors) is completed, passengers from southern suburbs like Pallavaram and Tambaram could travel to Madhavaram in the northern suburbs via the airport.

Residents in suburbs now want the government to expedite work to build a metro line to link Tambaram with Velachery to ease travel for those living in the ECR and OMR IT corridor. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is linking the OMR IT corridor from Thiruvanmiyur to Siruseri SIPCOT in phase-2 project.