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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025: Metro expansion, high-speed rail on the horizon

The state government is also planning a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) on the lines of Delhi-Meerut’s semi high-speed rail, with Chennai Metro Rail Limited carrying out feasibility studies.

Written by : TNM Staff

In a major push for public transportation infrastructure, the Tamil Nadu government will submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for several new Chennai metro rail corridors to the Union government for equity contribution, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu announced while presenting the state’s Budget for 2025-26 on Friday, March 14.

Among the proposed metro corridors, the 15.46-km airport to Kilambakkam stretch is expected to cost Rs 9,335 crore. The 21.76-km Koyambedu to Pattabiram line via Avadi is estimated at Rs 9,744 crore, while the 27.9-km corridor from Poonamallee to Sunkuvarchatram via Sriperumbudur is projected at Rs 8,779 crore.

Additionally, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) will soon begin work on DPRs for two more crucial metro links—Tambaram to Velachery via Guindy (21 km) and Light House to High Court (6 km)—expanding metro connectivity to key suburban and central areas of Chennai.

The state government is also planning a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) on the lines of Delhi-Meerut’s semi high-speed rail, with Chennai Metro Rail carrying out feasibility studies. Three corridors have been identified for this project:

> Chennai-Chengalpattu-Tindivanam-Villupuram (167 km)

> Chennai-Kanchipuram-Vellore (140 km)

> Coimbatore-Tiruppur-Erode-Salem (185 km)

If implemented, the RRTS will significantly cut down travel time between these key cities, offering an alternative to road and conventional rail transport.

Beyond the capital city, Tamil Nadu is moving ahead with metro projects for Coimbatore and Madurai. DPRs for the rs 10,740-crore Avinashi Road-Sathyamangalam Road corridor in Coimbatore and the rs 11,368-crore Thirumangalam-Othakadai corridor in Madurai will be submitted for central approval. The state government aims to begin work on these projects once the green light is received.

Meanwhile, work on Chennai metro’s Rs 63,246-crore phase-II expansion is progressing, with the Poonamallee to Porur corridor set to open by December this year.