• June 2009: Chennai Metro Rail launched with a cost estimate of Rs. 14,600 crore
  • July 2012: First tunnel work commenced in Chennai from Nehru Park to Egmore, a distance of 948 metres
  • May 2013: The city’s first Metro Rail train arrives from Port of Santos, Brazil.
  • November 2013: Chennai Metro Rail makes its first test run.
  • January 2014: First trial run from Koyambedu depot
  • April 2015: Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety gives conditional clearance to run services between Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar
  • Mono Rail

  • February 2006: State invites bids. Monorail to cover 300 km with 18 corridors at a single phase.
  • 2006-2011: Change of government; DMK comes to power and focus turns to Metro Rail. AIADMK returns to power and revives project. A 111 km project planned at Rs. 16,600 crore
  • February 2012: The government drops one of the corridors, reducing the length to 57 km
  • July 2014: Monorail length restructured to 43.48 km comprising just two corridors.
  • November 2014: Ministry of Urban Development in-principle approval for phase 1 of the project at Rs. 3,267 core.