Revised DPR submitted for Chennai Metro Extension to Kilambakkam with ₹9,335 crore project cost

Chennai, India (Metro Rail Today): In a strategic push to enhance urban mobility, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has submitted a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Tamil Nadu government for the Chennai Airport–Kilambakkam Metro extension. The updated plan, which now integrates an elevated road along with the metro corridor, raises the project’s estimated cost to ₹9,335 crore—₹5,000 crore higher than the initial proposal.

CMRL’s Managing Director, MA Siddique, officially presented the DPR to K Gopal, Additional Chief Secretary (Special Initiatives Department), outlining a 15.46 km metro stretch with 13 strategically located stations. The revised plan positions the metro at Level-2 while the elevated road runs at Level-1, ensuring seamless last-mile connectivity to Kilambakkam Bus Terminus.

A key enhancement includes intermediate ramps near Tambaram, providing direct access to the Outer Ring Road (ORR). Additionally, the elevated road will connect directly to Kilambakkam with a provision for future extension to Chengalpattu, further strengthening Chennai’s transit infrastructure.

The proposed metro extension will pass through key suburban hubs, including Pallavaram, Chrompet, Tambaram, Perungalathur and Vandalur. This alignment is set to enhance connectivity between major transit hubs, such as Chennai International Airport, Tambaram Railway Station, and Kilambakkam Bus Terminus, offering commuters a faster, more efficient public transport option.

Originally, CMRL conducted a feasibility study for this metro corridor in 2019, undertaken by Larsen & Toubro Infrastructure Engineering. However, delays in preparing the DPR occurred due to conflicts with the State Highways Department’s plan for an elevated corridor up to Tambaram. After extensive discussions, both agencies agreed on the metro’s viaduct level and the height of the elevated road, paving the way for the revised DPR submission.

CMRL had initially evaluated three alternative alignments, including:

• 16 km route along GST Road
• 19 km route extending from GST Road to Tambaram & Mudichur Road
• 20 km route via Airport-Cantonment-Pallavaram Bus Stand, Hastinapuram, Tambaram West & Mudichur Road

Despite concerns over potential ridership impact due to the existing suburban rail service (Beach–Tambaram line) running parallel to GST Road, CMRL opted for this alignment due to its fully elevated design and minimal land acquisition requirements.

With the revised DPR now submitted, the Chennai Metro extension to Kilambakkam moves one step closer to implementation. However, the project still awaits final clearance from the Union Government, a crucial step before construction can commence. If approved, this expansion will revolutionize Chennai’s transport network, offering faster, sustainable, and congestion-free travel for millions of commuters.

Stay tuned for more updates on Chennai Metro’s next big leap in urban connectivity!