Chennai Plans Regional Rapid Transit System to Parandur Airport

20 Mar 2025 CW Team

The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is exploring the construction of a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) to facilitate seamless access to the upcoming second airport at Parandur. Officials have identified two potential corridors for feasibility studies:

Chennai Airport to Parandur via Sriperumbudur Chennai-Kancheepuram-Vellore via Parandur RRTS: A High-Speed Alternative to Metro Rail Unlike the metro system, which has stations every 1 to 2 km, the RRTS stations will be spaced every 10 km, allowing trains to operate at 100-120 kmph, compared to the 80 kmph limit of metro trains.

"The aim is to develop a high-speed, reliable transit system that ensures efficient connectivity for air passengers and commuters alike," a CMRL official stated. A feasibility study will soon commence.

State Government’s Vision for RRTS In the recent budget, the Tamil Nadu government proposed three key RRTS corridors:

Chennai-Chengalpattu-Tindivanam-Villupuram Chennai-Kancheepuram-Vellore Coimbatore-Tiruppur-Erode-Salem Metro vs RRTS: Choosing the Right Connectivity Given limited feasibility for metro expansion beyond Sriperumbudur, authorities are considering a metro rail link between Chennai Airport and Sriperumbudur while extending the RRTS beyond this junction.

Chennai-Kancheepuram-Vellore corridor: Train will stop at Parandur but not enter the airport. Chennai Airport-Parandur corridor: Train will enter the airport and stop near the terminal. This initiative aims to boost regional connectivity while ensuring fast and efficient travel for passengers in and around Chennai.

Infrastructure Urban

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