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CNN-News18 has accessed details of these projects — including 119 Km of metro in Chennai and three RRTS corridors of nearly 500 Km — which could be built in a partnership between the Centre and the state
Top on the list is the Phase-2 of the Chennai Metro that could see the metro corridor in Chennai expand by 119 kilometres. (PTI)
Months before Tamil Nadu goes to polls, the state is set to get an infrastructure bonanza, with the Chennai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (CMRL) floating a series of bids this week to start the process of starting Phase-2 of the Chennai Metro and three rapid rail projects.
CNN-News18 has accessed details of these projects which could be built in a partnership between the Centre and the state. Top on the list is the Phase-2 of the Chennai Metro that could see the metro corridor in Chennai expand by 119 kilometres. Three new regional rail transit systems (RRTS) for the state, from Coimbatore to Salem, Chennai to Villupuram, and Chennai to Vellore, have seen bids invited too for Detailed Project Reports (DPR) this week. CMRL has also asked for feasibility report for developing High-Altitude Transport Systems in Mamallapuram, Udhagamandalam and Kodaikana, which was a recent budget announcement by Government of Tamil Nadu.
Chennai Metro Ph-2
At present, 54.1-km length of metro network under Phase-1 of Chennai Metro is under operations. The area of Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) has been extended from 1,189 sq.km to 5,904 sq.km and the projected population of CMA would be 202.31 lakh in the year 2048. “Hence, to meet the future traffic demand, planning and expansion of efficient Mass Rapid Transit System is highly imperative. A standalone Metro system of 54 Km operational at present by itself is not sufficient to address the traffic needs of Chennai,” says a CMRL document reviewed by CNN-News18.
Hence, Phase-2 network is now under implementation for Chennai, covering 118.9 km to cover the entire city. There will be various corridors under Phase-2. These will be Madhavaram to Siruseri, Lighthouse to Poonamallee, Madhavaram to Sholinganallur, and Tambaram to Guindy. The proposed Lighthouse station is located on the Kamarajar Salai, which is adjacent to Marina Beach. There are a number of government offices, educational institutions, Secretariat, recreational places etc. located along Kamrajar Salai.
Three New RRTS Corridors
Bids have also been invited for three new Regional Rail Transit Systems (RRTS) to improve connectivity between major cities and towns within Tamil Nadu — like the Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor.
“Tamil Nadu has seen rapid urbanisation, leading to higher population densities. As more people move to urban areas for employment and better living conditions, the demand for efficient transportation options grows. The RRTS will be the modern, fast, and efficient way to handle the growing transportation needs of these cities and their surrounding regions. Efficient public transportation like RRTS can boost the economy by facilitating easy mobility of labour, goods, and services,” says a CMRL document seen by CNN-News18.
The RRTS is designed to offer high-speed transit over longer distances, cutting down travel time significantly. For commuters traveling from suburban areas to the city centre, this can make a big difference in daily life, improving productivity and quality of life.
One corridor is planned from Coimbatore, the second-largest city in Tamil Nadu, after Chennai, and a major industrial and commercial hub, often called the “Manchester of South India” due to its textile industry. The Coimbatore Local Planning area has a population of 23.5 lakhs and the projected population would be 50.5 lakhs in 2052.
The RRTS corridor is planned from Coimbatore to Salem via Tiruppur and Erode, totalling 185 km. The Coimbatore-Salem Section connects Coimbatore, located at the foothills of the Western Ghats, with Salem, a city situated in the central part of Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore is known for its engineering industries, textiles, and educational institutions, while Salem is an important industrial hub, known particularly for its steel plants and agriculture. This section of the road, railway, and possibly even proposed transport systems, connects the western and central Tamil Nadu regions as well.
The second RRTS corridor will be from Chennai to Villupuram via Chengalpattu and Tindivanam, totalling 170 Km. The Chennai-Villupuram corridor will provide a direct, efficient link between Chennai and Villupuram, a key town that serves as a gateway to the northern districts. This connectivity is vital for strengthening the economic and social ties between Chennai and other parts of the state, a document says.
“The corridor will enhance the movement of goods and people across the region, making it easier for residents of Villupuram and neighbouring towns to access the economic opportunities, services, and infrastructure that Chennai offers. Villupuram, being an important agricultural hub, will benefit from quicker transportation of produce and other goods to Chennai’s large markets and export hubs. The corridor will promote balanced regional development by encouraging growth of satellite towns and urbanisation in smaller towns like Villupuram,” says the document.
The third RRTS corridor is planned from Chennai to Vellore via Kanchipuram, totalling 140km. The Proposed Regional Rail Corridor will start from Chennai and passes through Poonamallee, Sriperumpudur, Sunguvarchatram, Parandur, Kanchipuram and ending at Vellore. The corridor will significantly enhance the connectivity between Chennai and Vellore, a city that holds importance for education, healthcare, and industries.
This improved connection will facilitate quicker and more efficient travel between the two cities. This corridor will facilitate to provide connectivity between existing and proposed Greenfield Airport at Parnadur and also improve the connectivity with surrounding areas, such as Arakkonam, Ranipet, and Kancheepuram, thus contributing to better regional integration. It would make the entire area more interconnected, boosting the overall economy of the region, says a document with CNN-News18.
High-Altitude System
In pursuance to the recent budget announcement by the government of Tamil Nadu, CMRL has also decided to conduct of Detailed Feasibility Study for Development of High-Altitude Transport Systems in Mamallapuram, Udhagamandalam and Kodaikanal. This will study options in the field of High-Altitude Cable Propelled Transport Systems such as Ropeways, Funicular Railways, and Arial Tramways.
