Tamil Nadu Govt plans to extend Chennai Metro Line 4 till Parandur Airport

Chennai, India (Metro Rail Today): In a strategic move, the Tamil Nadu government is planning to extend Chennai Metro Line 4 from Poonamallee Bypass to Parandur Airport, with multiple stations planned within the upcoming airport's boundary. This significant expansion is part of the larger 116.1 km Chennai Metro Phase 2 project, which is reshaping the city's urban transit landscape.

The Current Scenario

Chennai's Line-4, spanning 26.1 km and connecting Light House to Poonamallee Bypass, is currently under construction. As a proactive step towards expanding connectivity, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) appointed a consultant in April 2023 to explore the feasibility of extending the line to Sriperumbudur, potentially covering a distance of 15-17 km.

Ambitious Extension to Parandur Airport

Building on this initiative, the state government has now decided to extend the line further to Chennai's new greenfield airport in Parandur. The envisioned route from Poonamallee Bypass to Parandur is estimated to be approximately 40 km, presenting a substantial expansion that aims to cater to the region's growing connectivity needs.

Possible Alignment and Spacing

While the alignment is still in the planning stages, there's a likelihood that the metro line will run primarily along NH-48. There's also speculation about potential alignment with the under-construction 260 km Bangalore – Chennai Expressway between Sunguvarchatram and Parandur. Stations along this extended route are expected to be spaced 7-10 km apart, a consideration that may undergo further refinement to align with the anticipated urban development in the region. A point of reference is the spacing of stations on Bangalore Metro's Blue Line, known as the Airport Line in Phase 2B, which maintains a more closely spaced 3-5 km interval.

Vision for Parandur Airport's Metro Line

Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) envisions procuring trains capable of operating at higher speeds than regular metro trains, which typically have a design speed of 90 kmph. The ambitious plan includes multiple stations within Parandur Airport, where an aerocity featuring commercial, retail, and hotel developments is on the drawing board. This concept mirrors successful aerocity models in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

Project Milestones and Future Timeline

CMRL's consultant is expected to deliver an initial feasibility report by April 2024. This report will outline the proposed line's alignment, estimated cost, projected ridership, station locations, and numbers. Despite the promising vision, the road ahead is long, with Parandur Airport's land acquisition, master plan finalization, and construction work all in progress. Realistically, construction on the metro line is unlikely to commence before 2028, as it navigates the detailed project report (DPR) creation, approvals, and financing stages.

Chennai Metro's grand vision for the Parandur Airport Metro Line signals a significant leap in the city's metro connectivity. As plans progress, residents can anticipate a robust and well-connected urban transit network that caters to the evolving needs of the growing city.