TN sanctions Rs 2,126 crore for land acquisition on PoonamalleeSunguvarchatram metro corridor

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has cleared the decks for preparatory work on the next phase of the Chennai Metro, authorising an outlay of Rs 2,126 crore to fund land acquisition, surveys and roadworks along the proposed western corridor between Poonamallee and Sunguvarchatram. The 27.9 km extension, to be executed by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), is awaiting formal approval from the Union government. Of the sanctioned amount, a substantial Rs 1,836 crore, nearly 86 per cent of the total, is earmarked for land acquisition, including compensation for existing structures, according to a Government Order. The funding will be provided as subordinate debt to CMRL, in line with the states practice of underwriting early-stage metro expansion costs. The corridor forms part of a larger 52.94 km extension from Poonamallee to the planned greenfield airport at Parandur, with an estimated total cost of 15,906 crore. Once complete, the line will connect key industrial and residential hubs, including Chembarambakkam, Thandalam, Irungattukottai, Sriperumbudur and Sunguvarchatram, before terminating at Parandur airport. Recognising the importance of a phased approach, planners and transport experts have advised prioritising the PoonamalleeSunguvarchatram stretch as the first stage. This initial 27.9 km segment, featuring 14 elevated stations, is expected to cost around 8,779 crore.