Tamil Nadu Clears Preparatory Work for ₹9,928-Crore Koyambedu–Avadi–Pattabiram Metro Corridor

The government of Tamil Nadu has granted administrative sanction to the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to start preparatory work for the proposed Koyambedu-Avadi-Pattabiram corridor, covering 21.76 km. This approval would allow the CMRL to initiate land acquisition, utility shifting, survey, and other groundwork, while the project is pending final approval from the Union government.

According to an order issued on August 18, the Planning Department, Development and Special Initiatives, stated that the ₹9,928.33-crore project would be entirely elevated, over a route that traverses Outer Ring Road with 19 planned stations. These stations include major places like Padi Pudhu Nagar, Ambattur Estate, Ambattur OT, Avadi Railway Station, Pattabiram, and Golden Flat Junction.

For the first phase, the CMRL requires ₹2,442 crore, which the State will extend as subordinate debt. Of this, ₹188 crore will be utilized for topographic surveys, geo-technical studies, tree-felling and replantation, traffic handling, and utility relocation. Land acquisition and compensation for structures will take up most of the remaining funds.

A detailed project report (DPR) for the project was submitted to the Centre after being approved by the State earlier in May. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs requested a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) from the CMRL before final approval could be granted.

The Koyambedu-Avadi-Pattabiram metro line would be a critical link that furthers the connection from the heart of Chennai to its rapidly developing western suburbs, thereby creating a new option on an increasingly congested road and rail corridor. Although this round of preparatory activities seems rather inconsequential, it nevertheless provides a big opportunity for pushing Chennai’s metro vision beyond the existing network.