Chennai’s Metro expansion towards the western suburbs is set to transform daily commuting for thousands of residents.

By 2030, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) plans to extend the Phase II corridor from Koyambedu to Pattabiram, passing through Ambattur and Avadi. The project will integrate three state highway flyovers and a new multi-modal transit hub at Avadi, according to reports.

The 22 km corridor is part of the Rs 632.46 billion Phase II initiative, funded through a combination of central and state allocations, along with multilateral loans from institutions including JICA and AFD. It is aimed at improving connectivity to areas heavily reliant on suburban rail.

For residents of Tiruvallur, Tiruttani, and Arakkonam, who currently depend on suburban trains to reach the city centre, the extension will offer direct metro access to Chennai Central, Egmore, and the airport via the Koyambedu interchange.

State Highways Chief Engineer S Jawahar Muthuraj confirmed that the metro viaduct will share pillars with three flyovers planned along the Chennai–Tiruttani Highway (CTH). “The pillars will be common for both the metro viaduct and flyovers. Land acquisition is underway,” he stated. This integration is intended to streamline construction and reduce costs.

In parallel, CMRL will issue a separate tender to relocate underground utilities such as pipelines and power cables, preventing potential delays. Project Director T Archunan noted, “We have decided to divide the contract and complete preliminary work first,” citing previous setbacks in Virugambakkam under Corridor 5.

Avadi, with its bus terminus and railway station located along CTH Road, has been designated as a multi-modal hub where suburban trains, buses, and the metro will converge. Officials added that discussions regarding its development will commence shortly.