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In a move that could transform the public transport system for thousands of people residing in and commuting from Old Mahabalipuram Road, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) plans to start operating train services as part of phase II project from Nehru Nagar in Perungudi till Siruseri by 2027.
The 116-km phase II project has been planned at a cost of ₹61,843 crore and this near 20-km stretch is part of corridor 3 (Madhavaram to SIPCOT – 45.4 km). It will have stations at Nehru Nagar, Kandhanchavadi, Perungudi, Thoraipakkam, Mettukuppam, PTC Colony, Okkiyampet, Karapakkam, Okkiyam Thoraipakkam, Sholinganallur, Sholinganallur Lake I Metro, Sholinganallur Lake II Metro, Semmancheri I Metro, Semmencheri II Metro, Gandhi Nagar, Navalur, Siruseri, Siruseri SIPCOT I Metro and Siruseri SIPCOT II Metro.
According to CMRL officials, it will be an underground line between Madhavaram and Taramani while it will be an elevated stretch till the last station of SIPCOT in Siruseri.
“The construction of an elevated stretch and the stations is easy and takes less time than the underground section. We divided the tender for this stretch into two sections — Nehru Nagar to Sholinganallur and Sholinganallur to SIPCOT and awarded the contracts last year. The work has begun in different locations along OMR and it will be completed by early 2027,” an official said.
Commuters spend hours in the morning and evening to travel from OMR to different parts of the city. Hence, this stretch was included as part of the phase II project. The commuters expected that this may be one of the first stretches to be opened.
Sources said it will be challenging to complete the stretch within four years since the work is picking up pace only now. Also, a small depot with about 8-10 stabling lines needs to be ready soon.
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