Chennai: The Asian Development Bank has approved a $240 million loan to support the expansion of the Chennai Metro Rail network.
The funding is the second tranche of the Chennai Metro Rail Investment Project, aiming to provide cleaner, safer, and more reliable urban transport across the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
This tranche is part of ADB’s $780 million multitranche financing facility approved in 2022. It follows the first tranche of $350 million, which was cleared earlier for the project. According to ADB, the latest financing will support the construction of key metro corridors and strengthen the city’s public transport system to meet rising mobility needs.
Key corridors and stations
The new loan will fund sections of metro lines 3, 4, and 5. This includes about 20 kilometers of elevated and underground corridors and the construction of 18 new stations. The stations will be equipped with universal access features to ensure ease of travel for all users, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The project also includes disaster-resilient infrastructure designed to keep passengers and services safe during extreme weather events, an increasing concern for coastal cities like Chennai.
Focus under tranche two
Under the second tranche, ADB will finance civil and system works for the elevated section of metro line 3 between Sholinganallur and SIPCOT-2. It will also support the underground section of line 4 from Lighthouse to Kodambakkam. In addition, key system components for line 5, such as power supply, traction, and telecommunications, will be covered.
The tranche will also support upgrades to multimodal interchange areas to allow smoother transfers between metro services, buses, bicycles, and other last-mile transport options.
Low-carbon and inclusive goals
ADB Country Director for India Mio Oka said the project would deliver safer, faster, and more reliable daily travel while supporting Chennai’s low-carbon development goals. The project will also improve travel safety for women and vulnerable users, enhance inclusive station design, and support measures to increase non-fare revenues for long-term financial sustainability.
Construction under this tranche is targeted for completion by mid-2028.
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