Chennai Metro expansion hits roadblock: Rs 9,335-crore Airport–Kilambakkam corridor awaits green light

The proposed 15.46-km Airport–Kilambakkam metro extension, aimed at improving connectivity to the city’s southern suburbs, has remained pending with the Centre for nearly a year after the DPR was submitted in April 2025.

The ministry of housing and urban affairs, in an RTI reply, confirmed the project is still under preliminary examination and has not reached the Public Investment Board or Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

The ministry has also withheld crucial project details, including ridership projections and mobility assessments, raising concerns over transparency and progress.

The Rs 9,335 crore corridor will span 15.46 km with 13 elevated stations, covering key residential and transit hubs such as Pallavaram, Chromepet, Tambaram, Perungalathur and Vandalur.

The line is expected to link important nodes including the airport, Tambaram railway station and Kilambakkam bus terminus, potentially benefiting around 15 lakh commuters and easing travel in the southern corridor.

Designed as a double-decker corridor, the project will integrate a metro line on the upper level with a four-lane elevated road below to decongest GST Road and improve seamless connectivity towards Chengalpet.

Despite multiple revisions, Tamil Nadu’s approval in April 2025, and allocation of Rs 1,964 crore for preparatory work in Sept 2025, the Centre has not sought additional clarifications since April 12, 2025, CMRL officials said.