Chennai Metro

Chennai had an established Chennai Suburban Railway network that spanned from Beach to Tambaram, which dates back to 1931 and operated on a metre-gauge line.[8] This service is now being continued after conversion to broad gauge line up to Chengalpattu.[9] The suburban network also consists of two more suburban lines, the west bound Chennai Central–Arakkonam suburban service and the north bound Chennai Central–Gummidipoondi.

The first phase of Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System, India's first elevated line between Chennai Beach and Thirumayilai, opened in 1995 with an extension to Velachery in 2007.[10] Modeled after the Delhi Metro, a similar modern metro rail system was planned for Chennai by Delhi Metro chief E. Sreedharan.[11]

In 2007–08, ₹5,000 crore (US$630 million) was sanctioned for preliminary work, which included a Detailed Project Report to be prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.[12] The project was approved by the state cabinet on 7 November 2007 and was to be executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) covering two lines for 45.1 km with 25 km being underground. Seven lines were planned by the DMRC for the Chennai Metro network.[13] Planning commission gave in-principle approval for the project on 16 April 2008.[14] On 21 November 2009, a deal was signed with the Japan Banking Corporation for a loan.[15]

An Alstom Metropolis train-set at Guindy Metro station in Chennai.

Full-height enclosed platform screen doors installed in Chennai Metro's underground stations

In February 2009, Hyderabad-based Soma Enterprise was awarded a ₹2,000 crore (US$250 million) contract for the construction of a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) long viaduct along the Inner Ring Road.[16][17][18] The construction started on 10 June 2009 with the piling work for the elevated viaduct between Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar stretch.[19][20]

In January 2011, Larsen and Toubro was awarded the contract for elevated viaducts and a depot at Koyambedu for ₹3,500 crore (US$440 million).[21] In March 2011, Chennai Metro reached an agreement with the Government of Japan for a loan of ₹4,000 crore (US$500 million) for the second phase.[22][23] In June, tenders for the elevated stations of the first phase were awarded to Consolidated Construction Consortium Limited.[24][25] In August 2010, the contract for supplying rolling stock was awarded to Alstom at a cost of ₹3,000 crore (US$380 million).[26][27][28][29] In December 2010, DMRC submitted a report for extending Corridor-I from Washemenpet to Wimco Nagar, a distance of 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) at an estimated cost of ₹5,000 crore (US$630 million).[30]

In January 2011, a ₹2,000 crore (US$250 million) contract for design and construction of track works was awarded to a joint venture of L&T and Alstom and a ₹1,000 crore (US$130 million) contract for supply of lifts and escalators was awarded to a joint venture of Johnson Lifts and SJEC Corporation.[31][32] In February 2011, contracts were awarded for the construction of underground sections of the first phase.[33][34] The contract for power supply and overhead electrification was awarded to Siemens for ₹3,500 crore (US$440 million).[35] Contracts for automatic fare collection (AFC), tunnel ventilation and air conditioning were awarded to Nippon Signal, Emirates Trading Agency and Voltas for ₹1,000 crore (US$130 million), ₹2,500 crore (US$310 million) and ₹2,000 crore (US$250 million).[36][37]

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, Gammon India and Mosmetrostroy involved in the construction.[38] On 6 November 2013, the test run along a stretch of 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) track was conducted.[39] On 14 February 2014, the maiden trial run for the metro was conducted between the Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar stations.[40][41][42] In August 2014, the metro received the statutory speed certification clearance from the Research Design and Standards Organisation.[43][44] In January 2015, a report was submitted to the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety for approval.[45] In April 2015, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety inspected the rolling stock and submitted a report to the Railway Board.[46][47][48][49] On 29 June 2015, commercial operations started between Alandur and Koyambedu stations [50] and almost a year later, on 21 September 2016, commercial operations commenced between Chennai International Airport metro station and Little Mount by the then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Commercial operations commenced in the first underground line between Thirumangalam metro station to Nehru Park metro station on 14 May 2017 [51] and the underground stretches – Nehru Park metro station to Chennai Central metro station and Saidapet metro station to AG-DMS metro station were opened a year later on 25 May 2018 by the then Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami.[52] On 10 February 2019, the underground stretch from AG-DMS to Washermanpet of blue line was opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, completing 45 km (28 mi) phase 1 of the metro.[53]

The government planned a 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) northern extension of the Blue Line running from Washermanpet metro station to Wimco Nagar.[54] The line runs underground for the first 4 km (2.5 mi) until Tondiarpet after which it becomes elevated along the Thiruvottriyur high road and consists of a total of nine stations.[55]

Construction started in July 2016 after approval by the Central government. The trial runs were conducted successfully in December 2020 and the line opened for passenger traffic on 14 February 2021 by Prime minister Narendra Modi.[56][57] This increased the length of the whole metro system to 54 km (34 mi).[58]

Tunnels for the Chennai Metro were drilled using Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) brought from Russia and China. In December 2011, two TBMs were shipped to Chennai from China. A total of 120 TBMs were deployed from July 2012, 80 from Germany, 20 from China, and 10 each from the United States and Japan.[59] The first tunnel work commenced in July 2012 from Nehru Park to Egmore for a distance of 948 meters. By December 2017, upon completion of the tunneling work of the Chennai Metro, all the machines were shipped backed to their origin countries. Each TBM weighed 850 tonnes and was able to drill hard surfaces, creating tunnel passages to connect underground stations. The length of the TBMs was about 85 to 90 meters. Tunnels were bored 50 feet below the surface, and each kilometer of tunneling cost ₹ 10,000 million.[60] The average length of tunneling was 16 to 18 meters a day.[61]

When the project was initiated in 2007, the estimated cost of the first phase was ₹70,000 crore (US$8.8 billion) with a forecasted 5% increase.[62] As of 2014, the cost for the first phase escalated to ₹70,000 crore (US$8.8 billion).[63] The phase 1 extension costed 30,000 crores with 60 percent funded by JICA.

E. Sreedharan, in 2013, stressed on the need of a greater expansion of Chennai metro network by undertaking subsequent phases. In July 2016, the then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa announced that Chennai Metro Phase 2 would be 104 km long and have 104 stations.[64] In July 2017, in a suo motu statement in the State Legislative Assembly, an extension in Phase II, involving an extension of Line 4 from Lighthouse up to Poonamallee, with the Madhavaram–Sholinganallur and Lighthouse–Poonamallee lines intersecting at Alwarthirunagar was announced, making Phase 2 116.1 km long.[65] The key focus for Phase 2 is to connect the northern (Madhavaram, Redhills) and southern parts (Siruseri, Sholinganallur) and the east parts of Chennai (Light house, Mylapore) to the western parts of Chennai (Porur, Poonamallee).

The present estimate for the phase 2 stands at ₹63,000 crore and approval has been received from the state government. Foundation stone for phase 2 was laid on 20 November 2020 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and construction commenced on 1 June 2021.[66][67] Addressing an event in Chennai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday 14 February 2021 said the Centre has set aside ₹63,000 crore in this year’s Budget for the second phase of Chennai Metro totaling 116.1 km, which is one of the largest projects sanctioned for any city in one-go.[68] The map and list of stations for all 3 proposed lines to be part of Phase 2 has also been published by CMRL. Phase 2 will have 138 3 coach trains, making a total of 414 coaches.[69]

The stations in phase II will be smaller at 150 m (490 ft) compared with 220 m (720 ft) in phase I. Phase II will have three depots, namely, Madhavaram (27.8 hectares), SIPCOT (4.5 ha [11 acres]), and Poonamallee (15.4 ha [38 acres]).[70]

The cost for the second phase was estimated at ₹63,000 crore (US$7.9 billion) with the project funded by the government and the lending agencies. JICA has sanctioned concessional loan amounts of ₹40,000 crore (US$5.0 billion) for the project. Phase 2 is to be funded partially by JICA, AIIB, ADB and NDB. Feasibility study for extending Phase 2 by 93 km undergoing. Further the 15.3 km blue line 1 extension from Airport to kilambakkam is estimated at ₹4,080 crore (US$510 million) and DPR pending approval.

The 25 km long Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System is likely to be handed over to CMRL by the Southern Railway. The entire system from Mount–Velachery–Beach will be upgraded as a broad gauge metro with all the facilities of the metro stations which includes tracks, security, ticketing system and the rolling stock (Air conditioned).[71] On 11 May 2022, Southern Railway granted in-principle approval for the Chennai Metro to takeover the MRTS.[72]

List of projects that the CMRL holds for future development in Chennai include Chennai Metrolite, Chennai Metro phase 1 southern extension, construction of Central Square, various commercial complexes and multi-storied buildings along CMRL's land, construction of metro depots.[73][74][75] Chennai Metro phase 3 as envisaged in the Chennai Comprehensive Mobility Plan, and so forth.[76]

Projects that CMRL holds for future development in Tamil Nadu include Coimbatore Metro, Tiruchirapalli Metro, Madurai Metro, Salem Metro, Tirunelveli Metro and Hosur Metro (Namma Metro Yellow Line Extension)[77]

The Blue Line or Line 1 is an operational line which stretches from Chennai International Airport to Wimco Nagar Depot. The line consists of 40 stations out of which 28 stations are underground and 12 stations are elevated.

The Green Line or Line 2 is an operational line which stretches from Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount. Out of the 30 stations, 15 stations are underground and 15 are elevated.

Purple or Line 3 is under construction line, it stretches from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Siruseri Sipcot 2. The line will consist of 48 (51) stations, out of which 28 (30) are underground and 20 (21) are elevated.

Orange Line or Line 4 is under construction line which stretches from Light House to Poonamallee Bypass. The line will consist of 31 (29) stations, out of which 9 (12) are underground and 19 are elevated.

Red Line or Line 5 part of phase II is under construction line stretches from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Sholinganallur. The line will consist of 49 stations, out of which 7 are underground, 1 at grade and 41 are elevated.

A view of the Chennai Metro at night.

The Chennai metro has a depot at Koyambedu with ballast-less tracks of 15 kilometres (9.3 mi). It covers an area of 26 ha (64 acres) and houses 420 trains.[85] The depot houses maintenance workshops, stabling lines, a test track and a washing plant for the trains.[86] It also houses the Operational Control Centre (OCC) where the movement of trains and real-time CCTV footages obtained from the stations and on-board cameras is monitored.[87] The company is building a headquarters building near Nandanam.[88] Maintenance includes preventing corrosion of train surfaces due to bird droppings, the depot has been fitted with ultrasonic bird repellers and bird strobe lights to prevent birds from entering the depot.[85]

An elevated depot at Wimco Nagar covering an area of 3.5 ha, with provision to station 12 trains commenced operations in 2022. The facilities in the depot include three inspections lines, one emergency repair line, and a small plant for washing trains. There are also plans to build a multi-storey commercial building above the depot.[89]

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. The rates vary between ₹30 and ₹120 for one journey. Alternatively, single and return journey tickets can be bought through the CMRL app with QR code ticket scanners at stations.[95]

Stored value cards (SVC) are pre-paid, rechargeable, travel cards that can be purchased at any ticket counter against a refundable deposit of ₹50. They can be recharged up to a maximum of ₹3000 at any ticket counter or in automated ticket vending machines available at all stations. Frequent users of Chennai metro can use this card. A discount of 20% is applicable for the users of SVC. Therefore, the rates vary between ₹24 and ₹96 for a single journey.

Trip Cards are for persons traveling between the same two stations regularly. The fares are discounted by 20% and are available in 3 types namely, 10 trips valid for 30 days, 30 trips valid for 90 days, and 60 trips valid for 180 days.

Tourist Cards provide the cardholders unlimited rides on the Chennai Metro for 1 day. It costs ₹150 of which ₹50 is refundable on returning the card. This is ideal for persons visiting the city for a short period of time and planning to travel to their destinations by metro.

Contactless QR ticketing system – ‘No more Q, only QR’.

Under the new system, there will be QR code boards put up at vantage points in the stations. A commuter can scan the code and buy the ticket from the ticketing page of Chennai Metro Rail. All the digital payment options such as UPI, net banking, credit/debit banking, etc., are available for payment of the fare.Currently 20 per cent discount is available on the mobile QR ticket.

Singara Chennai Card under NCMC scheme in association with SBI

CMRL launched Singara Chennai Card throughout Phase 1 stations on 14 April 2023. This card will be issued by SBI at Chennai Metro Stations and has a unique feature of Stored Value Area which can be used to store a maximum amount of 2000.

Salient features of Singara Chennai Card:

1. This card is issued free of cost to passengers.
2. This card can be used in all the Metros of India.
3. Easy registration process with minimum KYC

Currently, the Singara Chennai cards can be used in Chennai Metro stations and across all other Metros in India that accept RuPay NCMC cards such as MMRDA Mumbai Line 2A & 7, Bangalore Metro, Delhi Metro Airport Line, Kanpur Metro, BEST Buses Mumbai, and Kadamba Transport Buses in Goa. In the future, consumers may use this single card for payments in various parts and segments in the country which will include Bus, Suburban Railways, Toll, Parking, Smart city, and Retail shops.

For Phase I, Alstom was awarded the contract to supply 3000 coaches to Chennai Metro at a cost of ₹10,000 crore (US$1.3 billion) in 2010.[96] Alstom supplied 420 train-sets (metropolis model) composed of four coaches each[97] with each car measuring 300 metres (980 ft) in length and can accommodate 3000 passengers.[98] The trains have a first-class compartment and a women's section with 200 seats in the first-class car and 500 seats in the normal car. The first nine trains were imported from Brazil and the remaining were manufactured at a new facility set up at Sri City, Tada about 75 kilometres (47 mi) from Chennai.[99][100] As a part of phase 1 extension Alstom further supplied 10 trains with 4 coaches each making a total of 520 coaches operating in phase 1 and its extension. The trains are air-conditioned with electrically operated automatic sliding doors and a regenerative braking system. The cars operate on 25 KV AC through an overhead catenary system with a maximum speed of 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph).[101]

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.[102] The metro will require an average of 70 MW of power daily and the electricity will be supplied by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.[103] Chennai Metro is also planning to use solar power for five of its stations on the elevated corridor, with a production capacity of 200 KW.[104]

A total of 32 stations have been constructed along the two lines of the Phase 1 with 20 underground stations. Phase 1 extension has a total of 8 stations with 2 underground stations. In the underground sections, a walkway runs along the length with cross passages every 250 metres (820 ft) for the maintenance and emergency evacuation.[105] The underground stations have an average width of 220 metres (720 ft) to 390 metres (1,280 ft)

and go up to 50 feet (15 m) deep from the ground level.[106] However, the length of the stations, both underground and elevated, in Phase 1 extension is only 180 metres (590 ft) to save space.[61][107] The elevated stations have three levels, namely, street, concourse and platform with the concourse level at an average height of 5.65 metres (18.5 ft) and platforms for boarding at 12.6 metres (41 ft) above the street level.[108] Underground stations have two levels and are air-conditioned. The metro stations are equipped to be disabled and elderly friendly, with automatic fare collection system, announcement system, electronic display boards, escalators and lifts. The stations are equipped with non-slippery flooring with grip-rails, audio announcements and Braille facilities to help visually challenged passengers.[109] Paid parking facilities are available for two wheelers at all but three stations and in select stations for four wheelers.[110] parking charges can be paid for through the stored value cards.

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  Arumbakkam Metro Station
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  Arignar Anna Alandur Metro Station Concourse
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  Chennai Metro Interior
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  Train at Arignar Anna Alandur Metro Station
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  Alandur Metro station