Chennai is moving closer to adding another underground rapid transit corridor, with the Detailed Project Report for a proposed metro connection between Lighthouse and Madras High Court now ready for submission to the Tamil Nadu government. The planned project is expected to improve access to some of the city’s busiest administrative and public activity zones while reinforcing long-term efforts to shift mobility patterns towards public transport.
According to officials familiar with the development, the proposed alignment stretches nearly 5.7 kilometres and is designed entirely below ground. Estimated to cost around ₹4,300 crore, the route would introduce four stations serving Ezhilagam, Island Grounds, the Secretariat and Madras High Court areas. The Metro Extension is being planned as a continuation of Corridor 4 under Chennai Metro’s second phase expansion programme. The east-west corridor, currently under implementation, links Poonamallee with several residential and commercial districts and is expected to become one of the city’s most important mass transit spines.
Urban planners note that the proposed extension addresses a long-standing gap in rail connectivity to Chennai’s historic government quarter. Thousands of employees, visitors and daily commuters travel to offices around the Secretariat and Ezhilagam every day, while Island Grounds attracts large crowds during exhibitions, cultural events and seasonal gatherings. Improved rail access could help reduce pressure on congested road corridors and encourage greater use of public transport. Industry experts say underground infrastructure in dense urban districts often requires higher capital expenditure, but it minimises disruption to existing roads and preserves limited surface space. Such projects also support broader goals of lowering transport-related emissions and improving travel reliability in expanding metropolitan regions. Consultancy work for the corridor was undertaken following a competitive process initiated last year. The Detailed Project Report outlines engineering requirements, station locations and cost estimates that will form the basis for state-level evaluation before the project advances to subsequent approvals and funding discussions.
The Metro Extension also comes at a time when Chennai is witnessing sustained growth in commercial activity and institutional development across central and southern neighbourhoods. Enhanced connectivity between these districts could generate wider economic benefits by improving access to workplaces and public services while strengthening integration across the wider metropolitan area. With the report entering the approval stage, attention will now shift to financing arrangements and implementation timelines. Urban mobility specialists say timely execution and seamless interchange with existing lines will be essential to maximise benefits for commuters and ensure that future growth remains centred around accessible and lower-carbon transport networks.
