Chennai Metro Phase-2 Take Center Stage During Tamil Budget Session 2024

The Tamil Nadu government, currently funding the entire Chennai Metro Phase 2 project, has announced plans to seek approval for extending the Metro line from Chennai Airport to Kilambakkam and from Koyambedu to Avadi. Thangam Thennarasu, the finance minister, made this announcement while presenting the state budget for the financial year 2024-25 on Monday.

He also mentioned that the state will seek approval for Metro projects in Coimbatore and Madurai, which will be undertaken once approved.

"The Government of Tamil Nadu has submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Chennai Airport - Kilambakkam Metro extension, as well as for the Madurai and Coimbatore Metro projects, to the Union Government for approval. DPR studies will also be initiated for the Metro lines in Avadi - Koyambedu and Poonamallee - Parandur sections. An allocation of Rs. 12,000 crores has been made for the Chennai Metro Phase II projects currently under construction," said Thangam Thennarasu.

In the 2024 budget, the state government has allocated Rs. 12,000 crores for the Chennai Metro Phase-2 project. The segment from Porur to Poonamallee is expected to be completed by December 2025, the Minister stated. Additionally, Chennai Metro will develop a 27-floor Commercial/Office park at Central Square at a cost of Rs. 600 crores.

Furthermore, Rs. 500 crore has been allocated for the Chennai Film City project, which will be spread across 150 acres and set up under the PPP mode. The film city will feature facilities for post-production, virtual production, and other amenities, as per the Finance Minister's budget speech.