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.
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.
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.
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.
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– TMRG
I’m waiting for Kolkata metro extension next
When is it opening?
Date hasn’t been announced. Last heard it might happen on Feb 22.
..will that also be inaugurated by Modi? Any news..
Yup, that’s the plan. Unnecessary added delay but it’s just a matter of another week in a decade long project, so doesn’t matter I guess.
Roger that…
In an over-politicized country, politics takes precedence over everything else…
Bengaluru and Chennai are playing a cat and mouse game. Our cities need more fun and healthy competitions like this 👍
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 🙂
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.
V want Ambattur & Avadi areas connecting metros
Congratulations to CMRL team and govt of TN for metro trains extn upto wimco nagar
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.
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.
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
Required Ambattur to Avadi metro line
hi, any news on CMRL taking over IR’s MRTS line..
Naah, haven’t heard or read anything recently on that
Great..
Btw, has the merger of Chennai MRTS with CMRL been put on hold?
Haven’t heard or read about any movement on it, so yeah
Any probable date/year by which OMR route bound metro line will be over?
Is the metro having any consideration to reduce prices
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.