Chennai: The 118.9km Chennai metro rail Phase-II project has achieved 54.62% physical progress. Meanwhile, the Union govt informed Parliament that it has released ₹14,545.91 crore so far, with fund releases linked to Chennai Metro Rail Ltd’s (CMRL) requirements and the pace of construction.In a written reply to questions raised by Lok Sabha MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs Tokhan Sahu said the project’s progress is being monitored at multiple levels to ensure quick completion.“CMRL has said that the current physical progress of the project is 54.62%,” Sahu said. The ministry said the Centre released ₹14,545.91 crore since the project was sanctioned in Oct 2024.In an earlier reply in the Rajya Sabha, he said that while the Centre had allocated ₹5,660.44 crore for the project in 2026-27, no funds had been released as of July 14.The ₹63,246-crore project comprises Corridor-3 (Madhavaram-SIPCOT, 45.8km), Corridor-4 (Lighthouse-Poonamallee Bypass, 26.1km) and Corridor-5 (Madhavaram-Sholinganallur, 47km). Of the total network, around 42km is underground.The update comes at a time when the 14.64km Poonamallee Bypass-Vadapalani stretch, the first operational section of Phase-2, is awaiting an inauguration date from the Centre after completing mandatory safety clearances in Feb.He said the project is being reviewed regularly by a high-powered committee, the CMRL board of directors, and at various levels by both the Central and Tamil Nadu govts.Tokhan Sahu said the expanded metro rail network under Phase-II is expected to significantly improve urban mobility by providing seamless, safe and efficient public transport connectivity across the Chennai Metropolitan Area. He said the network will be integrated with railway stations, bus terminals, the airport and other metro corridors. Dedicated feeder services are also planned to strengthen last-mile connectivity and make end-to-end public transport more convenient.
