The Chennai Metro network is witnessing expansion with the construction of new corridor. The upcoming Line-5 or Red Line of Chennai Metro will provide connectivity between the northern and southern parts of the city. The route will start from Madhavaram in north and connect Sholinganallur in south. Spanning a length of 44.6 kilometre (km), the Chennai Metro Red Line will comprise 45 stations. Moreover, besides improving connectivity within the city, the Chennai Metro Red Line is expected to drive real estate growth along the route.
In October 2024, the cabinet approved Phase 2 of the Chennai Metro project, which will include three corridors spanning 118.9 km and comprising 128 metro stations. The project has a total completion cost of Rs 63,246 crore and is expected to be completed by 2027. Once operational, the total metro network in Chennai will have a length of 173 km.
The Koyambedu-Avadi Metro will cover a length of 16.1 km. It is expected to increase the total metro length to 20 km. The upcoming metro extension will further boost connectivity to areas such as Ambattur Estate, Thirumullaivoyal and Avadi.
The Tamil Nadu government presented its budget on March 13, 2025, and is expected to approve the airport-Kilambakkam, Poonamallee-Sunguvarchathiram and Koyambedu-Avadi metro lines. Further, the government will also approve a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) connecting Chennai to Villupuram and Vellore with stops every 10-15 km.
Click to read about the Chennai Metro Orange Line, which has an interchange facility with the Chennai Metro Red Line.
Chennai Metro Red Line: Quick facts
| Metro Line | Chennai Metro Red Line |
| Status | Under construction |
| Number of stations | 45 |
| Length | 44.6 km |
| Train operating speed | 80 km/h |
| Estimated project cost | $708.64 |
| Operator | Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) |
| Route | Madhavaram to Sholinganallur |
| Interchange |
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Construction status and route details
The Chennai Metro Red Line construction is underway, with work commencing on one of the stretches. Construction of piers is also in progress. A total of 1,500 piers will be developed. Till date, 50 piers between Madhavaram and Koyambedu, 142 piers between Koyambedu and Ullagaram and 205 piers between Ullagaram and Elcot have been completed.
The first operational stretch of the Chennai Metro Red Line is the section from Madhavaram and Retteri, which is expected to be ready by the end of 2026. Track work and installation of overhead electrical equipment on this section will commence soon.
The Chennai Metro Red Line construction is being undertaken as part of the Chennai Metro Phase-2 project at an estimated cost of Rs 61,843 Cr.
DMRC awarded contract for operate and maintenance of Chennai Metro Phase 2 corridors
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has been awarded a 12-year contract by the CMRL for the operation and maintenance of three corridors of Phase 2. The metro corridors include:
- Red line from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Shollinganallur
- Indigo line from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Siruseri SIPCOT-II
- Orange line from Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass
This will include maintenance depots at Madhavaram, Poonamallee and Semmancheri.
Chennai Metro expansion
The Tamil Nadu government is planning to add new metro lines to the Chennai Metro network and establish new transit hubs such as Lighthouse and Medavakkam. A 6-km metro line between lighthouse and Madras High Court via the state secretariat, which is expected to boost connectivity in the southern parts of the city. This will ease the traffic on the existing Blue Line via Chennai Central. Further, a 21-km metro line has been planned to connect Tambaram with Velachery via Medavakkam, Guindy and Phoenix Mall.
Chennai Metro Red Line stations list
| Metro station | Layout | Interchange |
| Madhavaram Milk Colony | Underground | Purple Line |
| Madhavaram Depot | At-grade | |
| Assisi Nagar | Elevated | |
| Manjambakkam | Elevated | |
| Velumurugan Nahar | Elevated | |
| Madhavaram Bus Terminus | Elevated | |
| Shastri Nagar | Elevated | |
| Retteri Junction | Elevated | |
| Kolathur Junction | Underground | |
| Srinivasa Nagar | Underground | |
| Villivakkam | Underground | |
| Villivakkam Bus Terminus | Underground | |
| Villivakkam MTH Road | Underground | |
| Anna Nagar West | Elevated | |
| Thirumangalam | Elevated | |
| Anna Nagar KV | Elevated | |
| Koyambedu | Elevated | Green Line |
| Koyambedu Market | Elevated | |
| Natesan Nagar | Elevated | |
| Virugambakkam | Elevated | |
| Alwarthirunagar | Elevated | Orange Line |
| Valasaravakkam | Elevated | Orange Line |
| Karambakkam | Elevated | Orange Line |
| Alapakkam Junction | Elevated | Orange Line |
| Mugalivakkam | Elevated | |
| Ramapuram | Elevated | |
| Manapakkam | Elevated | |
| Chennai Trade Centre | Elevated | |
| Butt Road | Elevated | |
| Arinagar Anna Alandur | Elevated | Blue Line and Green Line |
| St. Thomas Mount | Elevated | Green Line |
| Adambakkam | Elevated | |
| Vanuvampet | Elevated | |
| Ullagaram | Elevated | |
| Madipakkam | Elevated | |
| Kilkattalai | Elevated | |
| Echangadu | Elevated | |
| Kovilambakkam | Elevated | |
| Vellakkal | Elevated | |
| Medavakkam 1 | Elevated | |
| Medavakkam 2 | Elevated | |
| Perumbakkam | Elevated | |
| Classical Tamil Institute | Elevated | |
| Elcot Park | Elevated | |
| Sholinganallur | Elevated | Purple Line |
Proposed stations under Phase-2 extension
| Metro station | Layout |
| Padi Pudhu Nagar | Elevated |
| Park Road | Elevated |
| Golden Flats | Elevated |
| Wavin | Elevated |
| Ambattur Estate | Elevated |
| Dunlop | Elevated |
| Ambattur Railway Station | Elevated |
| Ambattur OT | Elevated |
| Stedeford Hospital | Elevated |
| Thirumullaivoyal | Elevated |
| Vaishnavi Nagar | Elevated |
| Murugappa College | Elevated |
| Avadi | Elevated |
| Hindu College | Elevated |
| Pattabiram | Elevated |
The CMRL has submitted the detailed project report (DPR) for the Koyambedu to Pattabiram section. The metro corridor will cover a length of 21.76 km and comprise 19 elevated metro stations with other metro stations in the corridor. This line, which will run along the Outer Ring Road, is expected to boost connectivity in the city. The metro project is expected to be developed at a cost of Rs 9,744 crore. The metro route will pass through key transit points such as Avadi Bus terminus, Ambattur Estate terminus and Avadi Railway Station.
Chennai Metro upcoming corridors
- Corridor 1 or Purple Line – Madhavaram to SIPCOT 2: This section will cover a length of 45.8 km and comprise 50 stations.
- Corridor 2 or Orange Line – Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass: This corridor will have a length spanning 26.1 km and will comprise 30 stations.
- Corridor 3 or Red Line – Madhavaram to Sholinganallur: The third corridor on the Chennai Metro network will span a length of 47 km and comprise 48 stations.
Chennai Metro Red Line route map
Click to view the official Chennai metro new route map
Source: chennaimetrorail
How will the Chennai Metro Red Line benefit commuters?
- Faster connectivity: The Chennai Metro Red Line will connect Madhavaram to Sholinganallur, providing faster connectivity to different localities along the corridor.
- Affordable transportation: The Chennai Metro Red Line will provide an affordable mode of transportation for commuters.
- Reduced traffic congestion: The metro corridor will significantly reduce traffic congestion, providing a sustainable mode of transportation. This will also facilitate the reduction of air pollution due to vehicles.
- Real estate growth: The upcoming Metro Line-5 in Chennai will result in significant growth of commercial and residential properties along the corridor.
- Boost economic activities: Chennai Metro Line-5 will increase commercial activities, which will create jobs and economic growth.
Metro facilities
- Elevated stations: The Chennai Metro Red Line is comprised mostly of elevated stations.
- Underground stations: Six stations on the Chennai Metro Red Line are built using the cut-and-cover method.
- Automatic train operation (ATO): The Chennai Metro Line-5 will use the Automatic Train Operation (ATO).
- Passenger information system: The Red Line station will be equipped with a passenger information system, which will provide information about train arrival time, fare, depot station, etc.
- Facilities for the differently abled: The stations will be equipped with wheelchair ramps and other facilities.
- Other facilities: The stations will have modern features, including elevators, escalators, and food outlets.
How will the Red Line metro impact real estate market?
Rise in residential and commercial real estate developments
The Chennai Metro Red Line will ease connectivity across different parts of the city. The metro line will pass through major residential and commercial localities as well as educational hubs of the city. Owing to the upcoming infrastructure project, the areas along the corridor will see increased demand for residential and commercial real estate.
The upcoming corridors on the Chennai metro rail network will boost connectivity to areas such as Madhavaram, Perambur, Sholinganallur and the IT hubs in the southern regions of the city.
Increase in property prices
With an increased demand for properties, property prices are expected to witness an increase. Experts suggest a rise of around 20% in the prices of residential properties along the corridor. Real estate investors and developers are eyeing some areas along the metro route for buying plots.
Impact on rental demand
Due to the accessibility to the metro, these areas are also expected to see increased demand for rented properties, leading to an increase in rent.
Some prominent real estate destinations, such as Sholinganallur and Koyambedu, located along the Chennai Metro Red Line, have seen price appreciation in recent months. Other localities are also witnessing a steady growth in property demand.
Top localities to buy a property near Chennai Metro Red Line
| Locality | Property price (per sqft) | Rental price (per month) |
| Sholinganallur | Rs 7,048 | Rs 45,750 |
| Koyambedu | Rs 8,806 | Rs 16,830 |
| Shastri Nagar | Rs 16,546 | Rs 2 lakh |
| Anna Nagar KV | Rs 15,500 | Rs 20,000 |
| Madipakkam | Rs 6,500 | Rs 19,800 |
Metro Contact information
Address: CMRL Depot, Poonamallee High Road, Koyambedu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu-600107
Phone Number: 044-23792000
E-mail address: chennaimetrorail@cmrl.in
Housing.com News Viewpoint
The upcoming Chennai Metro Line-5, known as the Chennai Metro Red Line, will provide a convenient mode of transportation to residents. Connecting various localities along its route from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur, the Chennai Metro Red Line will significantly reduce commuting time. One can visit the official CMRL website at chennaimetrorail.org for more information.
FAQs
How many metro lines are there in Chennai?
Chennai Metro has two operational lines, the Blue Line and Green Line. The upcoming metro lines in Chennai include Purple Line, Orange Line and Red Line.
How many stations does Chennai Metro Line-5 have?
There are 45 stations on the Chennai Metro Line-5.
What is the status of Chennai Metro Line-5?
The construction of Chennai Metro Line-5 or Red Line is in progress.
What is the purple metro line in Chennai?
The Chennai Metro Purple Line will connect Madhavaram Milk Colony and Siruset Sipcot 2.
What is the estimated cost of the Chennai Metro Red Line project?
The Chennai Metro Red Line is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 61,843 Cr.
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