In this article, we will address the topic of Chennai Metro from different perspectives, with the aim of delving into its importance and relevance today. Chennai Metro is a topic that has aroused great interest in various areas, generating debate and reflection in society. Along these lines, we will analyze the different dimensions of Chennai Metro, offering the reader a broad and complete vision of this topic. From its historical origin to its impact on the present, through its implications in the social, economic and cultural sphere, this article seeks to provide a comprehensive look at Chennai Metro and its influence in the current world.
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 118.9 km (73.9 mi) in the second phase and Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System is planned to be taken over by Chennai Metro.
Background
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. 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. 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. In 2006, a modern metro rail system was planned for Chennai modeled after the Delhi Metro.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was tasked with preparing a detailed project report on the implementation of metro system in Chennai. Based on the report, the Government of Tamil Nadu approved the first phase of the project in November 2007. 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. 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. 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.
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. The construction started on 10 June 2009. 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. In August 2010, the contract for supplying rolling stock was awarded to Alstom at a cost of US$243 million.
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). In June 2011, further tenders for the elevated stations of the first phase were awarded to Consolidated Construction Consortium. The contract for supply of lifts and escalators was awarded to a joint venture of Johnson Lifts and SJEC Corporation. In February 2011, contracts were awarded for the construction of underground sections of the first phase to Gammon India and Mosmetrostroy. 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.
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. On 6 November 2013, test run was conducted along a stretch of 1 km (0.62 mi) track. On 14 February 2014, the maiden trial run was conducted between Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar stations. In August 2014, the metro received the statutory speed certification clearance from the Research Design and Standards Organisation. In January 2015, a report was submitted to the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety for approval. In April 2015, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety inspected the rolling stock and submitted the report to the Railway Board.
On 29 June 2015, commercial operations started between Alandur and Koyambedu stations on the green line. On 21 September 2016, commercial operations commenced between Airport and Little Mount on the same corridor. 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. In May 2018, operations on the blue line commenced between Saidapet and AG-DMS. On 10 February 2019, the underground stretch from AG-DMS to Washermanpet of blue line was opened, completing the first phase of the metro.
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. Construction started in July 2016 with trial runs in December 2020. The line opened for passenger traffic on 14 February 2021, increasing the length of the operational metro system to 54.1 km (33.62 mi).
Phase II
In July 2016, Government of Tamil Nadu announced that the second phase would have three lines totaling 104 km (65 mi) in length with 104 stations. 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 118.9 km (73.9 mi) with 128 stations. The stations for the second phase were designed to be smaller than the existing stations operational in the first phase. In 2019, the Madras High Court questioned the state government on the method adopted in construction of the tunnels and the its impact on the water bodies.
On 20 November 2020, foundation stone for the second phase was laid and construction commenced. In November 2022, Alstom was awarded the contract to supply metro coaches for the phase II expansion.
Future plans
In 2017, the Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) system was proposed to be merged and taken over by Chennai Metro. 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. 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. On 11 May 2022, Southern Railway of the Indian Railways granted in-principle approval for the Chennai Metro to takeover the MRTS.
In 2020, a light rail was proposed to connect Tambaram in the existing suburban rail network with Velachery, part of the MRTS network. This is planned to link the existing different urban transit lines in the city. In 2021, CMRL proposed an extension to the first phase to connect the Airport with Kilambakkam. In 2022, the state government proposed revised extension plan for the three lines being constructed in the second phase, covering an approximate 93 km (58 mi). In February 2023, the feasibility study for the metrolite project was commissioned by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA). Between late 2023 and early 2024, feasibility reports were submitted by CMRL for the proposed expansion of the lines being constructed in the second phase. The reports suggested going ahead with two of the extensions totaling 59.7 km (37.1 mi). In March 2024, CMRL commissioned a study to re-assess the feasibility of establishing a new corridor connecting Tambaram with Velachery with extension to Guindy.
Third phase of Chennai Metro has also been planned as a part of the Chennai Comprehensive Mobility Plan. It has proposed the development of Central Square around CMRL headquarters with commercial complexes and multi-storied buildings. CMRL also partakes in the feasibility studies for the development of metro rail transport in the cities of Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchirapalli.
Network
The commercial operations of Chennai Metro started between Alandur and Koyambedu stations on the green line on 29 June 2015 with further expansions in 2017 and 2018 to connect Chennai airport with Chennai central. In May 2018, operations on the blue line commenced between Saidapet and AG-DMS with further expansion to Washermanpet in February 2019. The northern extension of the blue line running from Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar was opened for passenger traffic on 14 February 2021. As of March 2024, the operational network consists of two colour-coded lines covering a length of 54.1 km (33.6 mi).
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). The Government of India contributed 15% of the cost with the Government of Tamil Nadu financed the remaining 21% of the project. The first phase expansion costed ₹3,770 crore (US$470 million) of which 57% was loaned by Japan. The second phase is estimated to cost ₹63,246 crore (US$7.9 billion) of which initially ₹4,710 crore (US$590 million) was loaned by JICA. 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. The expansion of the blue line from the airport to Kilambakkam is estimated to cost ₹4,625 crore (US$580 million). The proposed extension of second phase lines from Poonamallee to Parandur, Koyambedu to Avadi and Siruseri to Kilambakkam will cost ₹10,712 crore (US$1.3 billion), ₹6,736 crore (US$840 million) and ₹5,458 crore (US$680 million) respectively.
Infrastructure
Chennai Metro runs on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge and the lines are double-tracked. The average speed of operation is 85 kilometres per hour (53 mph) and maximum speed is 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph).
Rolling stock
Alstom supplies the rolling stock for Chennai Metro. The first nine train sets were imported from Brazil and the remaining were manufactured at a new facility set up near Chennai. For the first phase, Alstom supplied 520 train-sets composed of four coaches each with each car measuring 300 metres (984 ft 3 in) in length. The trains are air-conditioned with electrically operated automatic sliding doors and have a first-class compartment with a dedicated section reserved for women.
The trains operate on 25 kV ACtractioncatenary system with a maximum speed of 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph). 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. The metro consumes an average of 70 MW of power daily and the electricity is supplied by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. Chennai Metro also uses solar power that generates 6.4 MWp which is about 12-15% of the energy requirement.
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. 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. The length of the stations in Phase 1 extension is 180 metres (590 ft 7 in). 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. 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. Paid parking facilities are available for two wheelers in most stations and four wheelers in select stations.
Depots
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. 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.
Operations
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. The main operational control center (OCC) is located in Koyambedu where the movement of trains and real-time CCTV footage obtained is monitored.
Fare and ticketing
The minimum fare is ₹10 and the maximum fare is ₹50.
There are six types of tickets issued by CMRL for travel in Chennai Metro.
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.
National Common Mobility Card, also branded as 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.
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.
Accidents and incidents
In August 2012, a construction worker was killed and six others were seriously injured due to a crane boom failure near Pachaiyappa's College. 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. 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. 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.
^Institutional Development of Suburban Rail systems(PDF) (Report). Indian Railway. p. 10. Retrieved 1 December 2023. This was appreciated by the Planning Commission way back in 1965, when it took the initiative to set up Metropolitan Transport Teams (MTT) to study the transport problems of the first four metropolitan cities of Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi and Madras and to recommend policies and programs for their improvement.