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4 Connectivity
Transport Mode Details
Rail
Rail connectivity within Chennai is through the suburban railway network. It consists three lines:
1.
Beach – Tambaram (30 km, 18 stations): This section is parallel to but completely separate
from the long-distance tracks of Indian Railways. The Trisulam station on this line is 100 metres
from the Chennai International Airport terminal.
2.
Chennai Central – Pattabiram (25 km, 15 stations): This section is again parallel to but completely
separate from long-distance tracks. Services run for a further 34 km (14 stations) on this line
on tracks shared with long-distance tracks.
3.
Chennai Central – Gummidipoondi (48 km, 16 stations): This line currently shares tracks with
long-distance trains but there are plans to build exclusive tracks in the future.
In addition to the above rail network, the Chennai Metro Rail Project is underway. The detailed project
report envisages the creation of 2 initial corridors under the proposed Chennai Metro Rail Project as
shown below:
• Corridor 1: Washermenpet – Chennai Airport
• Corridor 2: Chennai Fort – St. Thomas Mount
Safety inspection was conducted by the commissionerate for metro rail safety and another visit will
be scheduled to assess the safety parameters at stations, via ducts and other key infrastructure. The
inauguration of this stretch is expected by December 2015.
Road
Road network in Chennai City is dominated by a radial pattern converging at George Town, which
forms the CBD of the entire Chennai Metropolitan Area. Road transport is the dominant mode of
transportation in the city both for moving goods and passengers, thereby assuming a pivotal role in
development of the city.
As per the Second Master Plan, the Chennai Municipal Corporation is maintaining about 2,875 km of
road, of which 130 km are highway roads, 222 km are bus route roads and 2,475 km are the interior
roads and by lanes with a per capita road length of 0.6 m. In addition, the administrative jurisdiction
of the Chennai Municipal Corporation had about 130 km of National Highways. Furthermore, the city
had about 158 bridges, 40 culverts, 15 subways and 9 over bridges of road infrastructure.
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority proposed to develop an Outer Ring Road alignment
in the form of an express way with Rapid Rail system from Vandalur to Minjur. The expressway, which
is 60 km long with inter-change facilities at five major road crossing, would cost an estimated 4 billion
to build. The project is being executed under the build, operate and transfer concept over a period of
8 years with commercial exploitations along the transportation corridors. The width of the Outer Ring
Road is approximately 122 meters comprising six lanes and two service lanes for two-way transportation.
