In response to the increasing number of passengers, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has announced plans to purchase 28 new trains, each equipped with six coaches. This move aims to further improve the affordability and comfort of metro travel, which has become a popular choice for many Chennai residents.
Currently, the Chennai Metro operates along two primary routes covering a distance of 54 kilometers: from the Airport to Wimco Nagar and from Parangimalai to Chennai Central. Every day, an average of 200,000 to 300,000 people use the metro services.
The decision to acquire additional trains comes after a significant increase in ridership. CMRL had submitted a proposal for the purchase of new trains to the Tamil Nadu government in 2023. This proposal received state government approval in August 2023 and was subsequently sent to the Central government for final approval.
In June 2024, the Niti Aayog approved the proposal, bringing CMRL one step closer to expanding its fleet. The Managing Director of CMRL, M.A. Siddique, emphasized the necessity of this purchase, noting that the current metro fleet can only meet passenger demand for the next year and a half. After this period, the procurement of new trains will be essential.
Siddique expressed optimism about receiving the Central government’s approval soon, which will allow CMRL to proceed with the purchase of the 28 new metro trains. This expansion is expected to enhance the capacity and efficiency of Chennai’s metro services, ensuring a better travel experience for the city’s growing population.