Route Map of Operational Metro Networks In Chennai

Introduction:

Chennai: The metro meets Chennai’s needs for mass transit. Phase 1 is operational and extended, while Phase 2 is planned and put out to bid. There are no at-grade tracks in the system; they travel underground or on an elevated viaduct. Instead, Chennai Metro uses standard gauge 1435 mm tracks and 25 kilovolts alternating overhead catenary. Each of the 42 train tracks has four coaches and covers a route length of 45.1 km.

Chennai, the state capital of Tamil Nadu, is served by the Chennai Metro, an urban Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS). The Chennai Metro, inaugurated in 2015, is India’s fourth-longest metro network. Two metro lines in Chennai are currently in operation, and three more are being built as of March 2022. The Chennai Metro Rail Corporation constructed and ran the Chennai Metro (CMRL). Elevated and underground metro stations can be found throughout the Chennai Metro system.

According to the CMRL website, the project’s goal is to give Chennai residents access to a “quick, reliable, convenient, efficient, modern, and economical mode of public transport, which is properly integrated with other forms of public and private transport, including buses, sub-urban trains, and MRTS.”

A joint venture between the governments of Tamil Nadu and the Union of India is the Chennai Metro Rail Corporation.

Chennai Metro Info:

• Owner: Chennai Metro Rail Limited (jointly formed by the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Government of India)

• Serving Cities: Chennai only

• Number of Lines: 2

• Headquarters: Koyambedu

• Started Operations in: 2015

• Daily Timings: 4:22 am to 11:07 pm (Mon-Sat); 7:59 am to 10:03 pm (Sun)

• Fare: ₹10–60

Other Information:

Chennai Metro is an urban Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) constructed by Chennai Metro Rail Limited to serve Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu (CMRL).

The first section of the Blue Line (Line-1) between Koyambedu and Alandur opened in June 2015 after the construction of Chennai Metro’s Phase 1 with its 45.1 km of routes in April 2009. Between 2015 and 2019, additional sections debuted one after another, with the last one connecting AG-DMS with Washermenpet debuting in February 2019.

By the end of 2020, a 9.051 km extension of the Blue line (Line-1) that will connect Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar via eight stations and is a part of the Phase 1 Extension project is anticipated to be operational.

The Tamil Nadu government approved the 118.9 km Phase 2 project for the Chennai Metro in 2019 at an estimated cost of Rs. 69,180 crores. However, the Central Government still needs to give its approval.

52.01 km of Line-3 between Madhavaram – Sholinganallur and Line-5’s Madhavaram – CMBT will be constructed first out of the remaining 118.9 km. This mostly underground phase started accepting bids in January 2020, and construction is anticipated to begin in stages in 2026.

System Specifications:

• Maximum Speed: 80 km/h

• Average Speed: 33 kmph is the average speed.

• Track Gauge: 1435 mm Standard Gauge

• Electricity: Overhead catenary, 25 kV, 50 Hz (OHE)

• Signaling: Train Control Using Communication (CBTC)

Key Figures:

• Operational: 54.15 km are active, 83.90 km are under construction, 35 km are approved, and 15.3 km are proposed.

• Daily Readership: 1.15 lakh daily riders (February 2020)

• Rolling Stock: Alstom provided 208 coaches (52 train sets multiplied by 4).

Chennai Metro Lines:

Metro Line	Length (Km)	Stations	Starting Point – End Point
Blue	23.1	17	Washermanpet – Chennai International Airport
Green	22	17	Chennai Central Railway Station – St Thomas Mount

The Chennai Metro’s Phase I was opened in stages. On June 29, 2015, the first section between Alandur and Koyambedu was put into service. On May 14, 2017, the first underground line connecting Thirumangalam Metro Station and Nehru Park Metro Station was opened. A year later, on May 25, 2018, the underground stretches connecting Nehru Park Metro Station to Chennai Central Metro Station and Saidapet Metro Station to AG-DMS Metro Station were inaugurated. The 45 km network under Phase I of the Metro Rail Project was completed on February 10, 2019, with the opening of the underground section of the blue line from AG-DMS to Washermenpet.

Chennai Metro Route Map:

The blue line and green line are the two metro lines that are currently in use in Chennai. There are three additional lines being built for the Chennai Metro.

Less Known Facts Of Chennai Metro:

After Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System, there is a second rapid transit system in the city (MRTS). A woman drove the first train on the system. All trains can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h. Trains can be run without a driver. A train can accommodate 1200 commuters.

The Chennai Metro Rail Phase I project, which spans a network of 45.046 km, is divided into two corridors: Corridor I, which runs from Washermenpet Metro Station to Airport Metro Station (23.085 km), and Corridor II, which runs from Chennai Central Metro Station to St. Thomas Mount Metro Station (21.961 km). In Phase, I, about 55% of the Corridors are underground, and the remaining 25% are elevated. Thirty-two stations total; thirteen are elevated, and the remaining nineteen are underground. In addition, Alandur (elevated) and Chennai Central (underground) have Inter Corridor interchange Stations.

Washermenpet Metro Station to Wimco Nagar Metro Station is 9.05 km away in Phase I Extension. It has an elevated depot and nine metro stations. Except for Thiruvottriyur Theradi Metro Station and Wimco Nagar Depot Metro Station, all nine metro stations—seven high stations and two underground—were opened on February 14, 2021, from Washermenpet Metro Station to Wimco Nagar Metro Station. On March 13, 2022, the final two Metro stations were opened.

Fares:

The Chennai Metro’s fares are determined by the amount of distance traveled and the type of ticket purchased; tokens (for a single journey) and smart cards (available with a refundable deposit of Rs. 50) are best for multiple trips because they offer a flat 10% savings). Users can load amounts up to Rs. 3000 in multiples of Rs. 50. The card must always have a balance of Rs. 10, and it expires five years after the later of the time of purchase or recharge.

There is no accessible online fare calculator provided by Chennai Metro. However, the fare schedule is accessible online.

Chennai Metro Phase II

With 128 Metro stations and a network length of 118.9 km, phase II expansion has been planned. There are three of them: Corridor 3, which runs from Madhavaram Metro Station to SIPCOT Metro Station (45.8 km); Corridor 4, which runs from Lighthouse Metro Station to Poonamalle Bypass Metro Station (26.1 km); and Corridor 5, which runs from Madhavaram Metro Station to Sholinganallur Metro Station (47 Km). The project is expected to cost $63246 million. The Government of India is reviewing and approving this proposal. It is suggested that the project be finished by the end of 2026.

Chennai Metro Timings:

The Chennai Metro is open every day of the week, Monday through Sunday, from 5 am to 11 pm. One train runs every 4-5 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes during off-peak hours.

Conclusion:

The fourth-longest metro network in India is in Chennai. The Chennai Metro currently has two lines that are in use and three that are being built.