Metro of Chennai

Chennai Metro Rail

Chennai is a 7.5 million inhabitants city that has grown rapidly generating large concentrations, congestions and complicated street traffic. So there really was a need for an urban rail system and the Government of Tamil Nadu planned to build the Chennai Metro Rail Project. The Chennai Metro Rail service is integrated with buses and suburban trains.

The project was awarded for its implementation and operation to the Chennai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (CMRC).

Lines and Stations

The first section of the Chennai metro project started operating on June 29, 2015. The beginning of the project dates back to 2005 when the local government began to consider its construction. Designed for over a decade, on a budget of 14,000 million rupees suffered several bureaucratic slowness and several deadlines until finally was inaugurated.

This phase I, in turn, comprises two Corridors. The total is 45.1 km length under the final Detailed Project Report (Detailed Project Report - DPR)

Corridor-1 or Blue Line

The Corridor I, also known as Blue Line, covers from Washermanpet to Chennai International Airport in 23.1 kms of tracks. It has 10 underground stations: Washermenpet, Mannadi, High Court, Chennai Central Station, Government Estate, LIC, Thousand Lights, AG-DMS, Teynampet, Nandanam, Saidapet. Also 6 elevated stations: Little Mount, Guindy, Alandur, OTA, Meenambakiam, Chennai Airport.

Corridor-2 or Green Line:

The line starts in Chennai Central and goes to St Thomas Mount covering 22 kms and 17 stations of which 9 are underground and 8 are elevated. Underground stations: Central Chennai, Egmore, Kipauk, Nehru Park, Pachaiyappa's, Shenoy Nagar, Annanagar East, Anna Nagar Tower, Tirumangalam, Koyambedu. Elevated stations: CMBT, Arumbakkam, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar, Ekkattuthangal, Alandur, St. Thomas Mount.

Future expansions

Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project will develop five more corridors. According to the project summary, in 2003, the executive priorities were the construction and design of the corridors 1 and 2 in Phase I. Phase II consists of:

• Corridor-3: Ambathur Industrial Area (Mogapair), Ring Road, Arcort road, Panagal Park, Theagaraya road, Eldams road, Luz Church Road, RK Mutt Road, Adyar Bridge, Lattice Bridge Road, Tiruvanmiyur.
• Corridor-4: Porur - Kodambakkam (Arcort Road), Panagal Park, Theagaraya road, Eldams Road, Luz Church Road, Kutchery Road, Kamrajair Salai.
• Corridor-5: Ring Road.
• Corridor-6: Radhakrishnan Salai, Nugambakkam High Road, Mc. Nickols Road, KMC
• Corridor-7 along the road 5 NH.

Chennai metro hours of service

Hours of operation are from 6:00 to 22:00 on week days and from 8:00 to 22:00 on sundays. Peak hours in Chennai Metro are from 8:30 to 10:30 and from 15:00 to 18:00

Frequency

Frequency in peak hours is 10 minutes. Rest of the hours is 15 minutes including weekends.

Rates and Tickets

Since opening the Chennai Metro adopted fixed rates according to the distance traveled. So the minimum cost is ₹ 10 and the maximum can be up to ₹ 40. This makes it the most expensive from all over India, including the capital New Delhi.

As reference:
• Koyambedu - Alanur ₹ 40
• Koyambedu - Ekkattuthangal ₹ 40
• Koyambedu - Ashok Nagar ₹ 40
• Koyambedu -Vadapalani ₹ 20
• Koyambedu -Arumbakkam ₹ 20
• Koyambedu -CMBT ₹ 10

There are two forms of payment, smart cards and tokens. You can buy them at every station. Remember to drop the token at the gates which will automatically open the exit doors.

Store Value Card

To get one Store Value card you need to pay a refundable deposit for the card. The deposit is Rs.50 and also you will have to recharge a minimum of Rs.50. Then the minumum recharges are Rs.100. Maximum top-up is 3000 rupees. Your credit will expire after a year after the last recharge. By using the store value card you will get a 10% discount on fares in every journey. Another benefit is that you wont need to stand in queues for tickets. The card is tranferable and can be bought and recharged from automatic vending machines at the stations.

Tourist Card

It's ideal for visitors for a limited period. It cost a fare of Rs.100 plus a Rs.50 Refundable deposit. Special features are unlimited rides, valid for one day only. Can be purchased on all days. Card to be used within 30 days from the date of purchase. Can be buyed and recharged from the automatic expending machines at the stations.

Trip Card

It's for citizens and other residents who use the metro daily. You must select two fixed stations, origin and destination.

There are several types

• 10 trips valid for 7 days - between 80 and 320 rupees
• 40 trips valid for 30 days - from 320 to 1280 rupees
• 60 trips valid for 60 days - between 480 and 1920 rupees.

Chennai Metro Park'n Ride

There are parking facilities available at Koyambedu, Arumbakkam, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar, Ekkattuthangal, Alandur. However parking is not free. Cars have to pay 10 rupees every 3 hours and 200 rupees if the vehicle stays more than business hours (6:00-22:00). Motorcycles pay half price. There also exists monthly passes. You have to be aware that parking is at owner’s risk and no refund is permissible on parking charges

Curious facts

In the initial Chennai Metro Rail project, each train should have a first-class convoy in the front. The fare would be twice the economy class. Finally it was not implemented

Among the penalties there one month in prison and a fine of 50 rupees to anyone trying to ride on the roof of the train.

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