PM Modi Inaugurates 9 KM Chennai Metro Phase 1 Extension

Moments ago, India’s Prime Minister remotely inaugurated commercial operations on the 9.051 km Chennai Metro Phase 1 Extension project to extend the Blue Line from Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar through 8 stations.

This underground and elevated extension of the 23.10 km Blue Line (Airport – Washermanpet) through north Chennai was approved by Tamil Nadu’s government in December 2015 and by India’s Central Government in June 2016 with an estimated cost of Rs. 3770 crore.

It was built by Afcons Infrastructure (2.4 km tunnels), IL&FS (2 underground stations), NCC and Simplex (6.6 km elevated viaduct & 6 stations), with Siemens providing both the power supply (electrification) and signaling solutions. A list of all contractors can be viewed here.

Alstom train lined up at Wimco Nagar – Photo Copyright: Debasis Rana
Alstom train lined up at Washermenpet – Photo Copyright: The Hindu
Screenshot from live stream

To celebrate its opening and to increase patronage, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) is offering free rides today from 2 PM to 11 PM across the entire network.

8 new stations of this section along the Bay of Bengal’s coastline are located at Sir Thiyagaraya College (underground), Tondiarpet (underground), New Washermenpet (formerly Tondiarpet), Tollgate Metro, Kaladipet Metro (formerly Thangal), Thiruvottriyur Theradi (formerly Gowri Ashram), Thiruvottriyur Metro, and Wimco Nagar Metro. Among them, Thiruvottiyur Theradi Station will open up later this summer.

Chennai Metro Phase 1 Extension’s Route Map – view information and google-based route
Route map spotted at Washermenpet Station – Photo via Venkat Sekar Venkat Sekar

Trial runs / testing on this new extension began in December 2020 and it was certified fit for commercial operations by the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) after a 3-day inspection last week.

Wimco Nagar Station’s collage via Mani Megalai (shot last week)
Wimco Nagar Elevated Stabling Yard (opening later this year)

With today’s development – the city’s Blue Line has become 32.15 km long connecting Chennai International Airport with Wimco Nagar. From 45.1 kms, the entire Chennai Metro network with 2 lines has become 54.15 km large.

Chennai Metro is now once again the 3rd largest metro system in India after being briefly eclipsed in mid-January by the 48.1 km Bangalore Metro system when its Green Line extension to Silk Institute went live. That said, in Q3 2021, Bangalore will again regain number 3 position after its 7.5 km Mysore Road – Kengeri section of the Purple Line becomes operational.

For more updates, check out my Home Page!

– TMRG

written by

Global traveler who prefers mass rapid transit

21 Responses to "PM Modi Inaugurates 9 KM Chennai Metro Phase 1 Extension"

  1. Harsh says:

    I’m waiting for Kolkata metro extension next

    Reply
  2. SK Shekhar says:

    Bengaluru and Chennai are playing a cat and mouse game. Our cities need more fun and healthy competitions like this 👍

    Reply
    • Nobody says:

      True. Bengaluru and Chennai are continuously one-upping each other in terms of metro network length. Let’s see what happens once phase 2 of both networks is complete 🙂

      Reply
  3. Prahlad says:

    Everything is fine , kudos to CMRL , should maintain wel in the long run, Chennai should be the best metro in india , also v badly need a Airport.

    Reply
  4. Arun says:

    V want Ambattur & Avadi areas connecting metros

    Reply
  5. A N KRISHNA MOHAN RAO says:

    Congratulations to CMRL team and govt of TN for metro trains extn upto wimco nagar

    Reply
  6. Krishna Mohan Rao A N says:

    I hope my proposal CMRL metro trains between Thirumangalam JN, Mogappair East, Mogappair West, Nolambur, Wavin, Ambattur IE, Dunlop, Ambattur OT, Thirumullaivoyal Colony, Venkatchalam Nagar Arch thirumullaivoyal, Anannur, Avadi, CVD, The Hindu College, Pattibaram, Nemicherri, Velamapattu, Thiruninavur.

    Reply
  7. Krishna Mohan Rao A N says:

    I hope my proposal CMRL metro trains between Thirumangalam JN to Thiruvallur Via Mogappair East, Mogappair West, Nolambur, Wavin, Ambattur IE, Dunlop, Ambattur OT, Thirumullaivoyal Colony, Venkatchalam Nagar Arch thirumullaivoyal, Anannur, Avadi, CVD, The Hindu College, Pattibaram, Nemicherri, Velamapattu, Thiruninavur.

    Reply
  8. sanjeev says:

    Bangalore Metro 2nd Phase approved in Feb 2014 where as Chennai Metro was approved in June 2016, after more then 2 years. Thats difference how projects are executed but in Bangalore only cost escalations

    Reply
  9. Rajkumar says:

    Required Ambattur to Avadi metro line

    Reply
  10. Kanishka says:

    hi, any news on CMRL taking over IR’s MRTS line..

    Reply
  11. Jakoji says:

    Great..
    Btw, has the merger of Chennai MRTS with CMRL been put on hold?

    Reply
  12. Raghu says:

    Any probable date/year by which OMR route bound metro line will be over?
    Is the metro having any consideration to reduce prices

    Reply
    • TMRG says:

      No sooner than 2025 for the elevated section (Taramani Link Rd – SIPCOT)

      I haven’t heard/read about prices being reduced. That would be really nice (for both CMRL and riders), but it’ll be tough to bring it back up later.

      Reply

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