Chennai Metro Phase I Stations To Undergo Rs 2,800 Crore Upgrades, To Meet Growing Passenger Demand With Additional Trains

Chennai Metro Rail Ltd's (CMRL) Phase I project is set to undergo a significant upgrade at a cost of 2,800 crore to meet future demand, including the purchase of more six-coach trains and upgraded stops.

As passengers using the metro have increased recently the CMRL has hired a consultant to conduct research on purchasing additional coaches.

Currently, 2.5 lakh passengers use the Chennai Metro on an average.

“We need to plan for future demand and hence we began the preparatory work. The consultant presented an initial report which suggested that we need about 168 coaches or 28 six-coach trains in the near future for the phase I project.  Since we are procuring more trains, we need to upgrade the facilities like a signalling system and platform screen doors along with it. This apart, the stations will go through some modifications to accommodate the six-coach trains. We will present it to the State government and take it forward,” said a CMRL official, as per The Hindu report.

Chennai Metro Phase I

Phase I of the Chennai Metro Rail project covers a length of 45.046 km network and consists of two corridors i.e. Corridor-I from Washermenpet to Airport (23.085 km), Corridor-2 from Chennai Central to St Thomas Mount (21.961 km).

About 55 per cent of the corridors in Phase I is underground and the remaining are elevated. Out of 32 stations 13 are elevated and the remaining 19 are underground. Inter-corridor interchange stations are available in Alandur (elevated) and Chennai Central (underground) respectively.

With a budget of Rs14,600 crore, the Phase I project work began more than 10 years ago. It was completed in stages, with the last portion from AG-DMS to Washermanpet opening to the public in 2019.

The number of passengers has increased from approximately 10,000 back then to more than 2.5 lakh today.

The first segment of the section between Alandur to Koyambedu was commissioned on 29 June 2015.

Chennai Metro Phase II

Phase II expansion has been planned for a length of 118.9 km network with 128 number of stations. It consists of three corridors. Corridor-3 from Madhavaram to SIPCOT (45.8 km), Corridor-4 from Lighthouse to Poonamalle Bypass (26.1 km), Corridor-5 from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur (47 km). The estimated cost of the project is Rs 63,246 crore.

The soil testing has been fully completed and detailed design work is in the advanced stage of completion. 

Based on the administrative sanction issued by the state government, the tenders for the construction of an underground tunnel and elevated stretch in Corridor-3, an elevated and underground stretch, depot and track work in Corridor-4, and an elevated stretch in Corridor-5 have already been awarded and work is in progress.