A Detailed Project Report (DPR) relating to the Chennai Metro Rail Project was prepared and submitted by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) who have successfully designed and implemented the Delhi Metro Rail Project.  The DPR envisages the creation of 2 initial corridors under the proposed Chennai Metro Rail Project as shown below:

Click here for project status as on May 2008

The details of the two  corridors are given below:

Corridor-1:  Washermenpet – Broadway (Prakasam Road), Chennai Central Station – Rippon Building     along Cooum River – Tarapore Towers – Spencers – Gemini – Anna Salai – Saidapet – Guindy – Chennai Airport.

Corridor-2:  Chennai Fort – Chennai Central – along EVR Periyar Salai – Vepery, Kilpauk Medical College, Aminjikarai, Shenoy Nagar – Annanagar East – Anna Nagar Tirumangalam – Koyambedu – CMBT – along Inner Ring Road – Vadapalani – Ashok Nagar – SIDCO – Alandur – St. Thomas Mount.

Part of this project will be underground and the remaining on elevated portions.   The alignment and stations given above are tentative and subject to change during detailed design and execution

The Government of Tamil Nadu have approved in principle the two initial corridors mentioned above.   The Government of India are also keen on implementing this Project.  The proposal sent by the Government of Tamil Nadu for Central Government funding is awaiting approval.   

The estimated cost of this project (in March 2007 prices) is Rs.9,757 crores. Of this, the Central and State Governments together are expected to contribute about 40%.  The balance amount of the expenditure is expected to be met by a loan to be granted by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. 

The Government of Tamil Nadu have created a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for implementing the Chennai Metro Rail Project.  This SPV named as “Chennai Metro Rail Limited” was incorporated on 03.12.2007 under the Companies Act.  

The Government of Tamil Nadu have also notified the engagement of DMRC as the Interim / Prime consultants for the implementation of Chennai Metro Rail Project. 

The contact mission of JBIC visited Chennai on 22.1.08 and held detailed discussions with the officials connected with the implementation of Chennai Metro Rail Project.  In continuation of the visit of the contact team of JBIC, a high level delegation led by the Hon’ble Minister for Local Administration Thiru M.K. Stalin, visited Tokyo and held discussions with the Executive Director General and other officials of JBIC at the Headquarters of JBIC on 6.2.2008.  In that meeting the JBIC delegation had expressed its keen interest in considering the Metro project for possible financing.  The JBIC’s Special Assistance for Project Formation (SAPROF) study is underway.

Tentatively,  the project is programmed for completion in the financial year 2013-2014.