Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has announced plans to prioritize two major infrastructure projects: the Airport-Kilambakkam corridor spanning 15.3 km and the Poonamallee-Parandur Metro corridor. Both projects are currently in advanced stages of planning, with their Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) nearing completion. However, the reports are awaiting approvals from the Highways Department and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) before they can be submitted to the State government for final clearance.The Airport-Kilambakkam project encountered delays due to a redesign implemented a few months ago. This redesign aligns the metro viaduct with an elevated road corridor, utilizing common pillars to optimize construction and reduce costs. CMRL is actively working to finalize the revised plans and ensure smooth execution of the projects.
Once approved, these metro corridors are expected to enhance connectivity in the Chennai Metropolitan Region significantly. The Airport-Kilambakkam corridor will improve access to the southern suburbs, while the Poonamallee-Parandur line will link critical urban and semi-urban areas. Both projects are anticipated to ease traffic congestion and support the city’s growing transit needs.
CMRL’s commitment to these projects underscores its focus on expanding Chennai’s metro network to meet future urban mobility demands.