Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL)

The Chennai Metro is designed to provide a convenient and efficient mode of transportation for the residents of Chennai, as well as reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the city. Chennai Metro is a rapid transit system serving the city of Chennai, the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the newer metro systems in India, with its first line becoming operational in June 2015.

Chennai – Gateway of South India

Chennai Corporation is the second-oldest corporation in the world. One of the largest cities in India, the largest and capital city of Tamil Nadu, Chennai ranked at 36^th position in the world as the most visited city in the year 2019. Chennai’s economy is one of the largest and ranks fifth in India. The urban population of Chennai is the 36th largest in the world.

Railways in Chennai

In 1832, India’s first railway line proposed and in 1837 built by Arthur Cotton in Chennai (Then known as Madras). It ran from Redhills (the North-West part of Chennai) to Chintadripet (The eastern part of Chennai). The first South Indian passenger train built in Chennai on 1^st July 1856. It ran from Royapuram to Veyasarapady to Wallajaroad. In 1895, India’s first electric tram built in Chennai as Madras Tramways and it closed on 12 April 1953. The first Suburban railway line in Chennai began construction in 1928. Service to run from Harbour to Tambaram. The first Electric Multiple Unit rail service in Chennai and the first electrified metre gauge in India between Chennai Beach to Tambaram started on 2nd April 1931.

Mass Rapid Transit System

India’s first elevated railway line constructed in Chennai known as Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS). This MRTS line began operation on 1st November 1995. The first phase of this line ran from Chennai Beach to Chepauk. Now, This line extended to St.Thomas Mount linking Beach to Tambaram sub-urban line and Chennai Metro line. This MRTS line is the longest elevated railway corridor in the country, India. The total length of Chennai MRTS is 25km as of 2023.

Chennai Metro Rail

Chennai Metro, a type of rapid transit system began its operation in Chennai on 29th June 2015. Chennai Metro Rail Ltd operates the Chennai metro rail system. The entity is the joint venture of the Tamilnadu Government and the Government of India. It operates two coloured lines constructed in phase-1 of a total length of 54.65km. Phase-2 is under construction and construction began on 1st June 2021. The proposed length of CMRL Phase-2 is 116 km. The southern railway approved to take over the operation of the 25km Chennai MRTS line by CMRL on 11th May 2022.

The Chennai Metro provides a convenient mode of transportation for commuters, with air-conditioned trains, automated ticketing systems, and modern facilities. It has helped in easing the traffic congestion in Chennai and has become a popular choice for many residents for their daily commute.

CMRL Phase-1

The Chennai Metro operates two operational lines from Phase-1: Blue Line (Corridor-1) and Green Line (Corridor-2). Here are some details about each line:

Blue Line (Corridor-1):
- Route: Washermenpet to Chennai International Airport
- Length: Approximately 29 kilometres
- Number of stations: 27
- Major stations: Washermenpet, Chennai Central, Egmore, Chennai International Airport
- Interchange station: Chennai Central (Corridor-2)
Green Line (Corridor-2):
- Route: Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount
- Length: Approximately 23 kilometres
- Number of stations: 17
- Major stations: Chennai Central, Government Estate, Alandur, St. Thomas Mount
- Interchange station: Chennai Central (Corridor-1)

Phase-1 Extension

Corridor-1 of CMRL had proposed to extend on the south side from Chennai International Airport to Kilambakkam. The proposed stretch for almost 16 km and will have 12 metro stations on the corridor.

CMRL Phase-2

Chennai Metro Rail constructing three metro corridors in the phase-2 project: Purple Line (Corridor-3), Orange Line (Corridor-4), and Red Line (Corridor-5). Here are some details about each line:

Purple Line (Corridor-3):
- Route: Madhavaram Milk Colony to Siruseri SIPCOT
- Length: Approximately 45 kilometres
- Number of stations: 47
- Major stations: Thirumayilai, Thiruvanmiyur, Thoraipakkam, Sholinganallur
- Interchange station: Madhavaram Milk Colony (Corridor-5); Kilpauk (Corridor-2); Thousand Lights (Corridor-1); Thirumayilai (Corridor-4); Sholinganallur (Corridor-5)
Orange Line (Corridor-4):
- Route: Poonamallee Bypass to Lighthouse
- Length: Approximately 26 kilometres
- Number of stations: 27
- Major stations: Thirumayilai, Nandanam, Porur, Vadapalani
- Interchange station: Thirumayilai (Corridor-3); Nandanam (Corridor-1); Vadapalani (Corridor-2); Alwarthirunagar, Valasaravakkam, Karambakkam, Alapakkam (Corridor-5)
Red Line (Corridor-5):
- Route: Madhavaram Milk Colony to Sholinganallur
- Length: Approximately 47 kilometres
- Number of stations: 48
- Major stations: Madhavaram Bus Terminus, Villivakkam, Koyambedu, St.Thomas Mount
- Interchange station: Madhavaram Milk Colony (Corridor-3); Koyambedu (Corridor-2); Alwarthirunagar, Valasaravakkam, Karambakkam, Alapakkam (Corridor-4); Alandur (Corridor-1 & 2); St.Thomas Mount (Corridor-2); Sholinganallur (Corridor-3)

New headquarters “Metro Bhavan“

On the day 27^th of October 2022, the 8^th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin inaugurated the newly constructed headquarters building of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) next to the Nandanam metro station on Anna Salai or Mount road. Koyambedu office built with a total area of 2 acres, but metro officials think they need a bigger space. For instance, the current head office of the CMRL at Koyambedu won’t be sufficient in the future. CMRL wanted to keep their working staff at one central point. Altogether they decided to build a new headquarters with staff quarters in a location with a total area of 8 acres.

Here please click on the below image to get the link to the Chennai Metro Rail route map in Google Maps.