TN plans establishing Regional Rapid Transit System in 3 routes
With the rapid economic growth and urban expansion in Tamil Nadu, the State government is exploring the feasibility of establishing a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in three routes. This initiative follows the model of the Semi High-Speed Railway (SHR) between New Delhi and Meerut.
The Chennai Metro Rail Corporation will conduct detailed feasibility studies for setting up an SHR system with a speed of 160 kmph in Chennai–Chengalpattu–Tindivanam–Villupuram (167 km) stretch; Chennai–Kanchipuram–Vellore (140 km) and Coimbatore–Tiruppur–Erode– Salem (185 km), announced State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu in the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 on Friday.
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On the Metro Rail, the minister said the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-II is the largest ongoing metro rail project in the country, being implemented at a cost of ₹63,246 crore and a total length of 119 km across three corridors. The project is progressing rapidly, and in these routes, the elevated corridor between Poonamallee and Porur is set to be opened for public use in December this year.
Detailed project reports for the metro rail projects on the Avinashi Road and Sathyamangalam Road routes in Coimbatore, estimated at ₹10,740 crore, and for the Thirumangalam–Othakadai corridor in Madurai, estimated at ₹11,368 crore, have been submitted for equity contribution from the Union Government. Construction work in both the cities will commence as soon as the approval is granted.
Additionally, for extending the Chennai Airport metro line to Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus in Kilambakkam, covering 15.46 km at a cost of ₹9,335 crore; extending the Koyambedu line to Pattabiram via Avadi, spanning 21.76 km at a cost of ₹9,744 crore; and for extending 27.9 km of metro line from Poonamallee to Sunguvarchatram via Sriperumbudur at a cost of ₹8,779 crore, the Detailed Project Reports were received and the same will be submitted to the Union Government for their equity contribution.
Further, DPRs will be prepared for the routes between Tambaram to Velachery via Guindy covering 21 km length and Light house to High Court covering 6 km length, he said.
The Chennai Metro Rail Corporation will conduct feasibility studies for the establishment of a high-altitude transport system, such as a ropeway, in Mamallapuram, Udhagamandalam, and Kodaikanal. This initiative aims to enhance tourism while considering the sensitive micro-environmental ecosystem of these regions, the minister said.
New airport
To boost tourist arrivals in South Tamil Nadu and promote the overall development of economically backward regions, a new airport will be developed in the Rameshwaram area of Ramanathapuram district.
The State government has acquired and handed over lands worth ₹2,938 crore to the Airports Authority of India for the expansion of Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, and Thoothukudi airports. Further, land acquisition worth ₹350 crore is in progress for Salem airport, and work has been fast-tracked for the establishment of a new Greenfield airport at Paranthur near Chennai, he said.
To reduce air pollution and lower the carbon footprint, 700 diesel buses operated by State Transport Corporations will be converted to CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) buses at a cost of ₹70 crore, funded by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.
This Government is taking various steps to ensure that quality and reliable transport services continue to be available, even in the most remote villages of Tamil Nadu. As part of this initiative, a sum of ₹1,031 crore has been allocated in the coming financial year for the recently announced 3,000 new buses. Additionally, 750 existing buses with functioning chassis will be refurbished at an estimated cost of ₹120 crore.
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To reduce air pollution in metropolitan cities and enhance the environment, 950 electric buses in Chennai, 75 electric buses in Coimbatore and 100 electric buses in Madurai, in total, 1,125 electric buses will be deployed for public use starting this year, with loan assistance from the World Bank and the German Development Bank (KfW).
With increasing urbanisation, transport terminals that integrate bus, sub-urban railway and metro services, play a crucial role. In this context, a multimodal transport terminal in Guindy will be established at an estimated cost of ₹50 crore, with modern passenger facilities integrating these modes of transport. Further, another multimodal transport terminal will be established in the Washermanpet area of Chennai, featuring passenger amenities at an estimated cost of ₹50 crore.
To improve the operational efficiency, service delivery and financial condition of the State Transport Undertakings (STUs), an incentive fund of ₹2,000 crore will be created in the coming financial year to provide performance-linked incentives to STUs. Further, for the improvement of service delivery in the Metropolitan Transport Corporation, an amount of ₹646 crore will be allocated as Operational Viability Gap Funding under the Chennai City Partnership Programme.
In this Budget, a sum of ₹3,600 crore has been allotted as a subsidy to Vidiyal Payanam Scheme, a sum of ₹1,782 crore has been allocated as subsidy for concessional bus fares to students and a sum of ₹1,857 crore has been allocated for diesel subsidy. In the Budget Estimates, a sum of ₹12,964 crore has been allocated for the Transport Department, the minister said.
