Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has started the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for two crucial metro rail corridors, signalling further expansion of the city’s urban transit system.

Earlier this month, CMRL awarded consultancy contracts for the DPR of the Corridor 4 extension from Lighthouse to High Court and the proposed Tambaram–Guindy–Velachery corridor. The extension of Corridor 4 will add about 7 km, improving metro access along Marina Beach and to the Secretariat. In comparison, the Tambaram–Guindy–Velachery corridor will cover about 21 km, linking suburban areas such as Tambaram, Medavakkam, Pallikaranai and Velachery with the Guindy Metro station on Corridor 1.

The DPRs will examine alignment options, ridership forecasts, technical feasibility, and multimodal integration, particularly at Tambaram, Medavakkam, Velachery and Guindy. CMRL appointed Systra MVA Consulting India Pvt Ltd as a consultant for both projects at a value of ₹38.2 lakh and ₹96.19 lakh, respectively. The studies are expected to be completed in 120 days.

This initiative comes as CMRL continues to expand its Phase-II network, adding 118.9 km of metro lines with 128 stations at a total estimated cost of ₹63,246 crore, including interest during construction. CMRL has also recorded rising ridership. In July 2025, more than one crore passengers used the metro, with a peak of 3,74,948 commuters on July 4, the highest single-day figure since operations began.

The DPR launch marks another step in Chennai’s metro expansion, designed to meet the city’s growing mobility needs and strengthen sustainable urban transport solutions.