Chennai Metro to Parandur Airport Gets ₹2,126 Crore Boost

The Tamil Nadu government has sanctioned a budget of ₹2,126 crore for initial development work on a new metro corridor that will connect Chennai to the upcoming greenfield airport at Parandur. The funding will facilitate land acquisition and preliminary civil works for Phase I, which will extend metro connectivity from Poonamallee to Sunguvarchatram.

As per the official government order, ₹1,836 crore has been allocated for land acquisition, while ₹252 crore will go toward early-stage civil infrastructure. The new line is part of an extension to Corridor 4 of the Chennai Metro, currently running from Lighthouse to Poonamallee.

Prepared by Aarvee Associates Engineers and Consultants, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) outlines a two-phase plan for the 53-kilometre elevated corridor.

Phase I: A 28-kilometre stretch from Poonamallee to Sunguvarchatram, featuring 14 stations, including Chembarambakkam, Sriperumbudur, and the Kuthambakkam bus terminus.

Phase II: Will extend the line from Sunguvarchatram to Parandur Airport, once the airport’s development reaches an advanced stage.

An official from Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) emphasized the strategic approach:

“When we complete Phase I, the Parandur airport will have taken shape, making it easier to align and execute the second phase seamlessly.”

Trains along the new route are expected to run at speeds of up to 80 km/h, with the possibility of reaching over 100 km/h on the longer Phase II segment.

The total cost of the 53-km corridor is estimated at ₹15,906 crore, with Phase I alone projected at ₹8,779 crore. CMRL also intends to integrate the metro line with the NHAI’s proposed elevated corridor between Poonamallee and Sriperumbudur, ensuring better intermodal connectivity and infrastructure synergy.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.