Chennai Metro

Chennai Metro
A metro train at Guindy station on the Blue Line
Map of Chennai's urban rail network with operational, under-construction and planned lines
Overview
Owner	Chennai Metro Rail Limited
Locale	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Transit type	Rapid transit
Number of lines	2 (operational) 3 (under construction)
Line number	Operational Blue Line Green Line Under construction Purple Line Yellow Line Red Line
Number of stations	41
Annual ridership	105.24 million (2024)[1]
Key people	Katikithala Srinivas, IAS (Chairman) M.A. Siddique, IAS (Managing Director)
Headquarters	MetroS, Anna Salai, Nandanam, Chennai
Website	chennaimetrorail.org
Operation
Began operation	29 June 2015; 10 years ago (2015-06-29)
Operator(s)	Chennai Metro Rail Limited
Number of vehicles	52
Train length	100 m (330 ft)
Headway	6–12 minutes
Technical
System length	54.1 km (33.6 mi)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line[2]
Top speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
System map

The Chennai Metro is a rapid transit system serving the city of Chennai, India. It is operated by Chennai Metro Rail Limited, a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu. As of December 2025, the network consists of two operational lines spanning 54.1 km (33.6 mi) and has 41 underground and elevated stations. The system runs on standard gauge and is powered by 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead electric lines.

Plans for a metro rail system for Chennai started in 2007–08 with construction commencing in February 2009. Test runs began in 2014, and the first segment of the metro between the Alandur and Koyambedu stations on the Green Line began operations on 29 June 2015. On 21 September 2016, operations on the Blue Line commenced between Chennai Airport and Little Mount. The underground stretch from AG-DMS to Washermanpet of the Blue Line opened on 10 February 2019, completing the first phase.

As a part of the second phase, three more lines covering a length of 118.9 km (73.9 mi) are planned and are under construction. The Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS), operated by the Indian Railways, is planned to be incorporated into the Chennai Metro. A light rail has been proposed to connect Tambaram on the Chennai suburban rail network with Velachery on the MRTS. Further extensions are also planned for the three lines under construction.

A single electrified line from Chennai Beach to Tambaram began operations in 1931 as part of the Chennai Suburban Railway. Two other rail lines were subsequently built, connecting Chennai Central to Gummidipoondi and Tiruvallur in 1979.[3][4] In 1965, the Planning Commission evaluated the capacity of the transportation network in major metropolitan cities including Madras, and developed plans for further expansion of transportation amenities.[5][6] As a result, an initial stretch of the Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) between Chennai Beach and Chepauk opened in 1995 – the first elevated rail line in India. The MRTS later extended to Thirumayilai in 1997, to Thiruvanmiyur in 2004, and to Velachery in 2007.[7][8][9] In 2006, a modern metro rail system for Chennai was planned, to be modeled after the Delhi Metro.[10][11]

v t e Chennai Metro - Phase I
Legend
Phase I
North Line Wimco Nagar Depot Wimco Nagar Tiruvottriyur Tiruvottriyur Theradi Kaladipet Tollgate New Washermanpet Tondiarpet Sir Theagaraya College West Line Washermanpet Basin Bridge Mannadi Chennai Central and MMC High Court Chennai Central Egmore Chennai Fort Nehru Park Chennai Park Kilpauk Medical College Park Town Government Estate Pachaiyappa's College Chintadripet Shenoy Nagar LIC Anna Nagar East MRTS line Anna Nagar Tower Thousand Lights Red Line Thirumangalam AG – DMS Koyambedu Depot Teynampet Red Line Koyambedu Nandanam CMBT CMBT Saidapet Arumbakkam Little Mount Vadapalani Ashok Nagar Guindy Ekkattuthangal Red Line Alandur Nanganallur Road St. Thomas Mount Red Line Meenambakkam MRTS Chennai Airport Tirusulam Pallavaram Pallavaram Kothandam Nagar Chromepet Chromepet Mahalakshmi Colony Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar Tambaram Tambaram Irumbuliyur Peerkankaranai Perungalathur Perungalathur Vandalur Vandalur Arignar Anna Zoological Park Kilambakkam Kilambakkam South Line Collapsible section not closed properly!

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation was tasked to prepare a project report for the implementation of a metro rail system in Chennai.[11] The Government of Tamil Nadu approved the first phase of the project in November 2007.[12] The first phase was planned with two lines covering 45.1 km (28.0 mi) with 25 km (16 mi) being underground. The first corridor would connect Washermanpet with Chennai International Airport extending for 23.1 km (14.4 mi) with 14.3 km (8.9 mi) being underground and the second corridor would connect St.Thomas Mount with Chennai Central extending for 22 km (14 mi) with 9.7 km (6.0 mi) being underground.[11] In December 2007, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) was established as a joint venture between the union and state governments to execute the project.[12] The Planning commission gave an in-principle approval for the project in April 2008 with the final approval by the Union Council of Ministers in January 2009.[12][13] The estimated base cost of the first phase was ₹146 billion (US$1.7 billion) of which 59% was loaned by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Government of India contributed 15% of the cost and the Government of Tamil Nadu financed the remaining 21% of the project.[11]

In February 2009, a ₹1.99 billion (US$24 million) contract was awarded for the construction of a 4.5 km (2.8 mi) long viaduct along the Inner Ring Road between Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar and the construction started on 10 June.[14][15] In March 2009, a US$30 million contract was awarded to a consortium of five companies headed by French company Egis for technical consultancy on the project.[16] In August 2010, the contract for supplying rolling stock was awarded to Alstom for US$243 million.[17][18] In January 2011, a joint venture between Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Alstom was awarded the a ₹4.49 billion (US$53 million) contract for design and construction of tracks and a depot at Koyambedu.[19][20]

Construction of an elevated section in the first phase in 2011

Contracts for the construction of underground sections of the first phase were awarded to Gammon India and Mosmetrostroy in February 2011.[21][22] In June 2011, the contract for the construction of the ten elevated stations of the first phase was awarded to Consolidated Construction Consortium.[23][24] The contract for the supply of lifts and escalators was awarded to a joint venture of Johnson Lifts and SJEC Corporation.[25] The contract for power supply and overhead electrification was awarded to Siemens for ₹3.05 billion (US$36 million) and contracts for automatic fare collection, tunnel ventilation, and air conditioning were awarded to Nippon Signal, Emirates Trading Agency, and Voltas respectively.[26][27][28] In July 2012, the first tunnel boring machine was launched and by October that year, eleven machines were operated by three consortia–Afcons-Transtonnelstroy, L&T and SUCG.[29]

In August 2012, a construction worker was killed and six others were seriously injured after a crane failed and crashed at an under construction site near Pachaiyappa's College and on 10 January 2013, a 22-year-old construction worker was killed and three others were injured at a construction site between Alandur and St. Thomas Mount.[30] On 6 November 2013, a test run was conducted along a stretch of 1 km (0.62 mi) track.[31] The project faced several delays and missed deadlines due to problems with land acquisition and cancellation of construction contracts.[32][33] On 11 January 2014, a crane toppled over, killing a 20-year-old construction worker and seriously injuring another at Saidapet.[34]

Chennai Metro during trials in early 2014

On 14 February 2014, the maiden trial run was conducted between Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar stations.[35][36] The metro received the statutory speed certification clearance from the Research Design and Standards Organisation in August that year.[37][38] In January 2015, a report was submitted to the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) for mandatory safety approvals.[39] After inspecting the infrastructure, the CMRS submitted the report to the Railway Board in April 2015.[40][41][42]

Elevated track over the Adyar river

Operations on the Green Line between the Alandur and Koyambedu stations commenced on 29 June 2015.[43] The Blue Line segment from the Airport and Little Mount stations commenced operations on 21 September 2016.[44] The first underground section between Thirumangalam to Nehru Park on the Green Line opened on 14 May 2017,[45] and the extension to Chennai central was completed on 25 May 2018 along with the section from the Saidapet and AG-DMS stations on the blue line.[46] On 10 February 2019, the underground stretch from AG-DMS to Washermanpet of Blue Line was opened, marking the completion of the first phase of the metro.[47]

Chennai Metro - Phase I timeline[48]

Line Name	Terminals		Stations	Opened
Green Line	Koyambedu	Alandur	7	29 June 2015
	Alandur	St. Thomas Mount	1	14 October 2016
	Koyambedu	Nehru Park	7	15 May 2017
	Nehru Park	Central	2	25 May 2018
Blue Line	Chennai Airport	Little Mount	6	21 September 2016
	Little Mount	AG–DMS	4	25 May 2018
	AG–DMS	Washermanpet	7	10 February 2019

In 2014, a 9 km (5.6 mi) northern extension of the Blue Line was announced by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The extension would run from Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar and consist of nine stations.[49][50][51] Construction started in July 2016 with the first trial runs conducted in December 2020.[52][53] The line opened for passenger traffic on 14 February 2021, increasing the length of the operational metro system to 54.1 km (33.6 mi).[48] The expansion costed ₹37.7 billion (US$450 million) of which 57% was loaned by JICA.[48] In 2021, the CMRL proposed a further extension of the blue line to connect the airport with Kilambakkam at an estimated cost of ₹46.25 billion (US$550 million).[54][55]

Chennai Metro - Phase I Extension[48]

Line	Terminals		Length	Stations	Opened/status
Blue Line	Washermanpet	Wimco Nagar	9 km (5.6 mi)	8	14 February 2021
	Wimco Nagar	Wimco Nagar Depot		1	13 March 2022
	Chennai Airport	Kilambakkam	15.3 km (9.5 mi)	12	DPR prepared[56][57]

v t e Chennai Metro - Phase II
Legend
West Line Pattabiram Depot, Pattabiram ORR SH 234: Chennai Outer Ring Road Pattabiram Hindu College Kasturibai Nagar Avadi, Assisi Nagar Madhavaram Depot Murugappa College, Manjambakkam Madhavaram Milk Colony Vaishnavi Nagar, Velmurugan Nagar Thirumullaivoyal, Madhavaram Bus Terminal Madhavaram High Road Stedford Hospital, Sastri Nagar Moolakadai Ambattur OT, Retteri Junction NH 16: Chennai-Kolkata highway Ambattur railway station     Ambattur, Kolathur Junction Sembiyum Dunlop, Srinivasa Nagar Perambur Market NH 32: Chennai Bypass Road Ambattur Bypass, Villivakkam Perambur Villivakkam railway station Perambur railway station Ambattur Estate, Villivakkam Bus Terminus Ayanavaram Villivakkam CTH Road Otteri Vavin 1st Main Road       Otteri Nullah Golden Colony, Anna Nagar West Pattalam Park Road, Thirumangalam Perambur Barracks Road Padi Pudhu Nagar, Anna Nagar KV Purusaiwalkam Chennai Port–Maduravoyal Expressway Kellys Kilpauk Koyambedu Koyambedu Market Chetput Lake Natesan Nagar Chetpet railway station Virugambakkam Chetpet Port–Maduravoyal Expressway Alwarthirunagar Saligramam Warehouse Valasaravakkam Saligramam, Sterling Road Karambakkam Vadapalani, Nungambakkam Alapakkam Kodambakkam Powerhouse Kodambakkam, Anna Flyover Porur Junction, Mugalivakkam Kodambakkam railway station Porur Bypass, Ramapuram Panagal Park, Thousand Lights NH 32: Chennai Bypass Road Nandanam Thelliyaragaram, Manapakkam Boat Club, Royapettah Iyyapanthangal, Chennai Trade Centre Bharathidasan Road, RK Salai Kattupakkam, Butt Road Alwarpet, Thirumayilai Kumananchavadi, Alandur Kutchery Road Karayanchavadi, St. Thomas Mount Mandaveli, Lighthouse St. Thomas Mount MRTS & St. Thomas Mount railway station Greenways Road Adyar River Mullaithottam, Adambakkam Adyar Junction Poonamallee, Vanuvampet Adyar Bus Depot Poonamallee Depot, Ullagaram Indira-Nagar SH 234: Chennai Outer Ring Road Thiruvanmiyur Poonamallee Bypass, Madipakkam MRTS line Nazarethpet, Kilkattalai Taramani Chembarambakkam, Echangadu Nehru Nagar Kovilambakkam Kandanchavadi Kuthambakkam Bus Terminus Perungudi Samathuvapuram, Vellakkal Thoraipakkam Chettipedu, Medavakkam I Mettukuppam Thandalam, Medavakkam II PTC Colony Irungattukottai SIPCOT , Perumbakkam Okkiyampet Chennai-Bangalore Expressway Okkiam Maduvu Pennalur, Classical Tamil Institute Karapakkam Sriperumbudur Okkiyam Thoraipakkam Pattunool Chatram, ELCOT Sholinganallur Irungulam Industrial Estate Sholinganallur Lake I Mambakkam Sholinganallur Lake II Tirumangalam Semmancheri Metro Depot Sunguvarchatiram (RRTS ) Semmancheri I Parandur RRTS Semmancheri II Gandhi Nagar Navalur Siruseri Siruseri SIPCOT I Siruseri SIPCOT II

In July 2016, the Government of Tamil Nadu announced that the second phase would have three lines spanning 104 km (65 mi) with 104 stations.[58][59] Two corridors would extend from Madhavaram Milk Colony connecting with Siruseri SIPCOT and Sholinganallur respectively with the third corridor connecting Koyambedu with Lighthouse on the Marina beach. In July 2017, the state government announced an extension of Phase II, involving a section from Lighthouse up to Poonamallee Bypass with an intersection with the Madhavaram–Sholinganallur line at Alwarthirunagar. The second phase would span 118.9 km (73.9 mi) with 128 stations.[48][60] The stations for the second phase were designed to be smaller than the stations of the first phase to reduce the cost and time of construction.[61] In 2019, the Madras High Court questioned the state government on the construction method of the tunnels and its impact on the water bodies.[62] The second phase was estimated to cost ₹63.25 billion (US$750 million) of which ₹47.1 billion (US$560 million) was loaned by JICA.[48][63][64]

Construction of Madhavaram Milk Colony underground station as part of the second phase

On 20 November 2020, foundation stone for the second phase was laid and construction commenced.[65] On 14 February 2021, Prime Minister of India announced that the government has set aside ₹630 billion (US$7.5 billion) for the construction of the second phase and its further extension.[66] In May 2021, the CMRL awarded contracts to Tata Group, L&T and HCC-KEC for the construction of various sections of the second phase.[67] In November 2022, Alstom was awarded a contract to supply rolling stock for the second phase. The contract included a provision for the supply of 78 train sets including 36 driver-less trains.[68][69] In December 2022, a contract for the installation of tracks was given to KEC–VNC and Hitachi bagged the contract for the installation of signalling systems.[70][71] In January 2023, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited was awarded a contract for the constructions of underground stations and Linxon was given the contract for the installation of electric traction.[72][73]

In May 2023, the CMRL announced minor changes to the lines' alignment and that nine stations would be scrapped in the revised plan.[74] Hence, the total length of the second phase was reduced to 116.1 km (72.1 mi).[75] L&T was contracted for the installation of overhead equipment and control and monitoring systems.[76] Tata Projects was awarded the contract to construct select stations in October.[77] In December, the CMRL awarded the contract to ST Engineering for the installation of platform screen doors in the elevated stations of the second phase.[78] In the same month, Shellinfo was awarded a contract ₹420 million (US$5.0 million) for the installation of automated fare collection systems.[79] In addition to the previously ordered Alstom train-sets, the CMRL invited bids in March 2024 for the supply of 96 train-sets for the second phase.[80] As of May 2024[update], about 20 km (12 mi) of the second phase had been completed.[81]

In March 2025, the first trial run on the Phase II network was conducted on a 3 km (1.9 mi) stretch between Poonamallee and Mullaithottam on the proposed Yellow Line.[82] In April 2025, trial runs began on a 10 km (6.2 mi) stretch between Poonamallee and Porur Junction stations on the same line.[83] The RDSO conducted inspection on the same stretch in August 2025, and the Railway Board provided approval for the operation of signals on the line in December 2025.[84] In January 2025, Chennai Metro announced that the operations on Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani stretch will start in February 2026, with no intermediate stoppages at stations from Alapakkam to Saligramam.[85]

Chennai Metro - Phase II[74][86]

Line	Terminals		Length	Stations	Status
Purple Line	Madhavaram Milk Colony	Siruseri SIPCOT II	45.4 km (28.2 mi)	48	Under construction
Yellow Line	Poonamallee Bypass	Lighthouse	26.1 km (16.2 mi)	27
Red Line	Madhavaram Milk Colony	Sholinganallur	44.6 km (27.7 mi)	45
			116.1 km (72.1 mi)	118[a]

In 2022, the state government proposed an extension plan spanning 93 km (58 mi) for the three under construction lines of the second phase. The proposal involved extension of Purple Line from Siruseri SIPCOT to Kilambakkam, Yellow Line from Poonamallee to Parandur and Red Line from Koyambedu to Avadi.[87] The proposed extension of second phase lines from Siruseri to Kilambakkam, Poonamallee to Parandur, and Koyambedu to Avadi were projected to cost ₹54.58 billion (US$650 million), ₹107.12 billion (US$1.3 billion), and ₹67.36 billion (US$800 million) respectively.[88][89] Between late 2023 and early 2024, feasibility reports submitted by the CMRL suggested dropping the proposed extension of the purple line due to economic viability and going ahead with the planned extensions of the other two lines, spanning 59.7 km (37.1 mi).[88][89][90] In May 2024, the state government proposed a new 16 km (9.9 mi) extension from Madhavaram to Ennore.[91][92] In August 2024, a new extension from Chennai airport to Poonamallee was proposed to connect the existing airport with the planned new airport at Parandur.[93][94] In May 2024, the Government of Tamil Nadu approved both the extensions of the Red Line from Koyambedu to Pattabiram and Yellow Line from Poonamallee to Parandur at an estimated cost of ₹99.28 billion (US$1.2 billion) and ₹159.06 billion (US$1.9 billion) respectively, forwarding to Government of India for final approval.[95]

Chennai Metro - Phase II Extension

Line	Terminals		Length	Stations	Status	Reference
Red Line	Koyambedu	Pattabiram	21.76 km (13.52 mi)	19	DPR approved by state	[96][95]
Yellow Line	Poonamallee	Parandur	43.6 km (27.1 mi)	19		[89][97]
	Lighthouse	High Court	7 km (4.3 mi)	TBD	DPR to be prepared	[98][99]
TBD	Tambaram	Velachery	21 km (13 mi)	TBD
TBD	Madhavaram	Ennore	16 km (9.9 mi)	TBD	Feasibility to be studied	[91][92]

Chennai MRTS is proposed to be handed over to Chennai Metro

In 2017, the state government proposed to integrate the Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) into the Chennai Metro.[100] In July 2018, PwC said that the merger would cost around ₹30 billion (US$350 million) to convert the rolling stock and install other facilities for the merger.[101] On 11 May 2022, Southern Railway of the Indian Railways granted an in-principle approval for the integration of the MRTS into the metro.[102] As per the plan, the railway would handover the MRTS to the CMRL once the expansion of the MRTS is completed. However, as of 2024, the extended second phase of the MRTS project, connecting Velachery with St. Thomas Mount was still under construction.[103][104] Once the takeover is completed, CMRL will upgrade the MRTS system including tracks, security, ticketing system and rolling stock.[105]

In 2020, a light rail was proposed to connect Tambaram railway station of the existing suburban rail network with Velachery on the MRTS,[106] as part of plans to link the different urban transit lines in the city.[107][108] Feasibility studies for the project was commissioned in February 2023 by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA).[107] In March 2024, a study was commissioned to re-assess the feasibility of establishing a new corridor connecting Tambaram with Velachery with an extension to connect with existing Guindy metro station.[109] In 2025, the government decided to develop the stretch as a regular metro corridor.[98]

MetroS, the Chennai Metro headquarter building at Nandanam

The third phase of the Chennai Metro is under planning as a part of the Chennai Comprehensive Mobility Plan.[110] The CMRL is also involved in the feasibility studies for the development of metro rail transport in the cities of Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchirapalli.[111]

CMRL developed the Kathipara Urban Square as a multi-modal transport hub with parking and recreational areas.[112] In 2023, the CMRL proposed the development of Central Square around its headquarters with commercial complexes and multi-storied buildings.[113] In April 2025, CMRL announced that it has identified public spaces in Adyar and Velachery which can be transformed into public spaces similar to Kathipara Urban Square.[114]

Chennai Metro runs on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge and the lines are double-tracked.[115] The trains can operate at a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), and the average operational speed is 85 km/h (53 mph).[116]

As of December 2025, the operational network consists of two colour-coded lines covering a length of 54.1 km (33.6 mi).[48][117]

Operational lines of Chennai Metro[118][48]

Line	Terminal		Operational	Length (km)	Stations
Blue Line	Wimco Nagar Depot	Chennai Airport	21 September 2016	32.1	26
Green Line	Central	St. Thomas Mount	29 June 2015	22	17
Total				54.1	41[b]

Chennai metro coaches are manufactured by Alstom

Alstom supplied the rolling stock for the first phase of the Chennai Metro.[119] For the first phase, it supplied 42 train-sets composed of four coaches.[120] The first nine train sets were imported from Brazil and the rest were manufactured at Alstom's facility at Sri City near Chennai.[120][121][122] The trains are air-conditioned with electrically operated automated sliding doors. The trains usually have a first class compartment and a dedicated section reserved for women.[123]

The trains operate on 25 kV AC electric traction.[124] The trains are connected to the grid via overhead lines and are equipped with regenerative braking with a capacity to recover 30–35% of the energy during braking.[125] The electricity is supplied by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, and the metro system consumed an average of 70 MW of power daily in 2014.[126] Chennai Metro also uses solar power with an installed capacity of 6.4 MWp, which contributed to about 12-15% of the energy requirement of the metro in 2023.[127]

For the second phase, Alstom was awarded a ₹9.47 billion (US$110 million) contract to supply 26 trainsets made of three coaches each to be deployed on the Yellow Line.[128][129] In November 2024, CMRL awarded a ₹36.58 billion (US$430 million) contract to BEML for the supply of 70 trainsets, made of three coaches each, to be deployed on Red and Purple lines.[130] In June 2025, CMRL placed an additional order of 32 driverless trainsets.[131]

Full-height enclosed platform screen doors installed in the underground stations

A total of 40 stations, 22 of which are underground, are operational on the two lines of the first phase. In the underground sections, a walkway runs along the length of the corridor with cross passages every 250 m (820 ft) for the maintenance and emergency evacuation.[132] The underground stations have an average width of 200 m (660 ft) and are located at an average depth of 6.1 m (20 ft) from the ground level.[133] The average length of the stations in Phase 1 extension is about 180 m (590 ft).[134][135]

The elevated stations have three levels with the concourse level at a minimum height of 5.5 m (18 ft) above the ground level and platform level above the concourse while the underground stations have two levels and are equipped with platform screen doors.[136] The stations are air-conditioned and are equipped to be disabled and elderly friendly, with automated fare collection, public announcement system, electronic display boards, escalators and lifts.[137] Paid parking facilities are available for two wheelers in most stations and four wheelers in select stations.[138]

Wimco Nagar depot is situated adjacent to the Wimco Nagar Depot station

Chennai Metro maintains a major depot at Koyambedu which houses maintenance workshops, stabling lines, test tracks and a washing plant for the trains. In 2022, an elevated depot at Wimco Nagar commenced operations with facilities for inspection, emergency repair, and a washing plant.[139] Three new depots at Madhavaram, Poonamallee, and Semmencherry, are planned as a part of the second phase.[140][141][142] The Madhavaram depot is planned to be the largest depot of the Chennai metro.[143] The Poonamallee depot was used for conducting trial runs in 2024.[144] In 2025, a sixth depot was planned at Pattabiram as a part of the second phase extension of the Chennai Metro.[145]

As of 2022[update], the metro operates trains from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm. The blue line has an average frequency of every 6 minutes during peak hours and every 12 minutes during off-peak hours. On the green line, the average frequency is 12 minutes during peak hours and 18 minutes during off-peak hours.[146][147] The main operational control center (OCC) is located in Koyambedu where the movement of trains and real-time CCTV footage obtained is monitored.[148] In 2022-23, the average daily ridership was 0.25 million.[149]

Interior of Chennai Metro coaches

The minimum fare is ₹10 and the maximum fare is ₹50.[150][151]

There are six types of tickets issued by CMRL for travel in Chennai Metro.[152]

• Single journey tokens, which need to be purchased each time for every journey at the ticket counter or in ticket vending machines available at all stations.
• Stored value cards (SVC) are pre-paid, rechargeable, travel cards that can be purchased at any ticket counter against a refundable deposit, can be recharged up to at any ticket counter or in automated ticket vending machines at stations and offers discounted fares. In April 2023, National Common Mobility Card replaced the Stored value cards
• Trip cards are for applicable for travel between the same two stations and are available in varied combinations and validity with discounted fares.
• Tourist cards provide the cardholders unlimited rides on the Chennai Metro system for one day.
• QR Tickets for single and return journey tickets can be bought through the CMRL mobile app with QR code ticket scanners at stations.[153]
• National Common Mobility Card, also branded as Singara Chennai card, a stored-value cum debit card launched in 2023 in association with State Bank of India which can be used to access all major other metro and select bus transport systems in India.

• On 17 June 2015, a 30-year-old man was killed and another motorcyclist injured when an iron rod fell on them at a metro construction site near Officers Training Academy at St. Thomas Mount.[154][155]
• On 27 September 2022, a crane used for transporting iron rods crashed near Ramapuram, causing the rods to fall on a Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus and injuring the bus driver, conductor, and crane operator.[156]
• On the night of 13 June 2025, two girders of the under-construction Poonamallee–Porur Metro section collapsed in Manapakkam, killing a 43-year-old man. CMRL imposed a fine of ₹10 million (US$120,000) on the contractor Larsen & Toubro for the incident.[157]

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• Madurai Metro
• Transport in Chennai
• Urban rail transit in India

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