Chennai Metro
Chennai Metro is an operational metro system in Chennai, run by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). It covers 54.1 km, with fares from ₹10 to ₹60 and trains operating 04:30 to 23:00 roughly every 6 minutes. Its route map, stations, fares and timings are below.
Chennai Metro is the rapid transit system serving Tamil Nadu’s capital, run by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). Phase 1 has been carrying passengers since 2015, and a much larger Phase 2 is under construction that will roughly triple the network and reach parts of the city the first phase never touched.
The network
Phase 1 covers about 54 km across two corridors, the Blue Line and the Green Line, mixing underground stretches through the crowded core with elevated sections further out. The lines meet at Chennai Central and connect with the suburban rail and MRTS, so riders can move between systems at a single point. Phase 2 adds three new corridors of roughly 118 km, a big step up in scale.
Operator and what comes next
CMRL builds and runs the metro. Its near-term work is Phase 2, where civil construction, tunnelling, stations and systems are progressing corridor by corridor. Contract awards, viaduct milestones and station updates keep coming as the phase advances toward opening.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Chennai Metro timings?
Chennai Metro operates 04:30 to 23:00. Trains run at a frequency of about 6 minutes.
Who runs the Chennai Metro?
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).
When did the Chennai Metro open?
Phase 1 began carrying passengers in 2015 and was completed over the following years.
How big will Chennai Metro get?
Phase 2 adds about 118 km across three corridors to the roughly 54 km of Phase 1.
How many people use Chennai Metro?
Around 3.2 lakh passengers a day, peaking near 3.77 lakh (2026).
What are Chennai Metro fares?
Fares are distance-based, from Rs 10 to about Rs 50.
Is there a Chennai Metro route map and journey planner?
Yes. This hub has an interactive route map and journey planner, plus stations, fares, live tenders and updates.
Latest updates
58 tenders tracked →Phases
| Phase | Lines | Stations | Length (km) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line-1 Chennai Airport – Wimco Nagar | Blue Line | 25 | 32.15 | |
| Line-2 Chennai Central – St. Thomas Mount | Green Line | 17 | 22 | |
| Line-3 Madhavaram – SIPCOT 2 | Purple Line | 49 | 45.813 | |
| Line-4 Light House – Poonamallee Bus Depot | Orange Line | 30 | 26.1 | |
| Line-5 Madhavaram – Sholinganallur | Red Line | 48 | 47 |
Latest ridership: Around 3.2 lakh a day, peak 3.77 lakh (2026)
Milestones
- Chennai Metro's first section opens
- Phase 1 completed across two corridors
Fares
Chennai Metro fares range from ₹10 to ₹60, set by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).
| Distance / zone | Fare |
|---|---|
| Minimum fare | ₹10 |
| Maximum fare | ₹60 |
Timings
Chennai Metro service timings and frequency:
| Service | Time |
|---|---|
| Operating hours | 04:30 to 23:00 |
| Frequency (peak) | about 6 minutes |
Journey Planner & Route Map
Awarded tenders & contracts
| Tender / Contract | Agency | Value | Awarded to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corridor 1 Sec II civil maintenance: High Court-Wimco Nagar | — | ₹12.10 Cr | Adya Enterprises |
| Phase 1 Network Capacity Enhancement PMC/DDC | — | ₹35.96 Cr | AECOM-Nippon Koei JV |
| Corridor 4 trackwork: Lighthouse-Poonamallee Bypass | — | ₹81.09 Cr | Pee Pee Mandal Projects |
| DRMD display systems for 52 Phase-1 trains | — | ₹16.34 Cr | Autometers Alliance Ltd |
| Security management services: Phase II O&M (18 stations) | — | ₹34.8 Cr | CIS Bureaus Facility Services |
| Entry/exit & escalator access: Corridor-5 (ECV-02) | — | ₹23.70 Cr | Saraswathi Engineering Construction |
| Entry/exit structures: Phase 2 | — | ₹268.7 Cr | Bridge and Roof Company (India) |
Ongoing tenders
| Tender | Agency | Value | Bid due | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Water Metro: CMRL floated tender for DPR along Buckingham Canal | CMRL | Open | ||
| Chennai Metro Line 3: PSD Door System Supply | CMRL | Subscribers | Subscribers | Under evaluation |
| Chennai Metro Phase 1 & 2 Expansion: Bids Invited for DPRs’ Preparation | CMRL | Subscribers | Under evaluation |
Upcoming tenders
No upcoming tenders announced yet.
Bid values, closing dates and awardees are for subscribers. See plans.