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.

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