Chennai Metro advances DPRs for two MRTS lines: RRTS feasibility studies underway

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has initiated the process of preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for two new Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) lines, just weeks after the budget announcement. The two proposed corridors are Lighthouse to High Court via Secretariat and Tambaram to Guindy via Velachery.

CMRL has floated tenders for DPR preparation and plans to complete the reports within 90 days of awarding the contracts. Officials confirmed that these projects are likely to be discussed during the Assembly’s demand for grants session.

According to a senior CMRL official, the 7-km Lighthouse to High Court stretch will be fully underground due to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) restrictions and the presence of heritage structures and memorials. “Considering Peak Hour Peak Direction (PHPD) traffic, we will integrate the indicator directly into the DPR instead of preparing a separate DFR,” the official added.

For the second corridor from Tambaram to Guindy via Velachery, CMRL had earlier assessed the travel demand between Tambaram and Velachery and decided to extend it up to Guindy or Little Mount, totaling about 26 km. The corridor recorded a PHPD of 12,000 passengers, meeting the threshold for a Metro line. Initially, this line was not a priority but gained traction after Southern Railway decided to resume MRTS services from Beach to Velachery and CMRL’s Corridor-5 (Madhavaram to Sholinganallur) advanced as part of Phase II.

CMRL had earlier considered a light rail system via Velachery but dropped it due to depot space constraints and poor feasibility.

In parallel, CMRL has also floated tenders for Detailed Feasibility Reports (DFRs) for three semi-high-speed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) lines: Chennai-Kancheepuram-Vellore, Chennai-Chengalpattu-Tindivanam-Villupuram, and Coimbatore-Tirupur-Erode-Salem.

“RRTS is more suited than high-speed rail (HSR) on these routes because of multiple stops. However, the feasibility reports will determine if the proposals move forward,” a CMRL official said. The RRTS, if implemented, will be the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu and is planned as an elevated corridor.