The Blue Line is one of the two operational lines of Chennai Metro apart from the Green line. The line stretches from Chennai Airport to Wimco Nagar Depot, covering a distance of 32.65 km (20.29 mi). The line consists of 26 stations out of which 13 stations are underground and the rest are elevated or on ground level. In May 2018, operations on the blue line commenced between Saidapet and AG-DMS with the extended underground stretch from AG-DMS to Washermanpet of blue line commencing operations on 10 February 2019 completing the phase 1 of the metro.
An airport-bound metro at Alandur station
Planning and construction
Phase I
In 2006, a modern metro rail system was planned for Chennai modeled after the Delhi Metro.[1][2]Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was tasked with preparing a detailed project report on the implementation of metro system in Chennai.[2] Based on the report, the Government of Tamil Nadu approved the first phase of the project in November 2007.[3] The first phase was planned with two lines covering 45.1 km (28.0 mi) with 25 km (16 mi) being underground. The first corridor would connect Washermanpet with Chennai International Airport extending for 23.1 km (14.4 mi) with 14.3 km (8.9 mi) being underground.[2] In December 2007, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) was incorporated and the Government of India gave approval for the project in January 2009.[4][3]
The construction started in June 2009.[5] In August 2010, the contract for supplying rolling stock was awarded to Alstom.[6][7] Test and trial runs happened on the Green line in 2013 and early 2014.[8][9][10] After approvals from RDSO and the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety, commercial operations started between Alandur and Koyambedu stations on the green line in June 2015.[11][12][13] On 21 September 2016, commercial operations commenced between Airport and Little Mount on the blue line.[14] In May 2018, the blue line was extended between Saidapet and AG-DMS.[15] On 10 February 2019, the underground stretch from AG-DMS to Washermanpet of blue line was opened, completing the first phase of the metro.[16]
A 9 kilometres (5.59 mi) northern extension of the blue line running from Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar consisting of nine stations.[17][18] Construction started in July 2016 with trial runs in December 2020.[19][20] The line opened for passenger traffic on 14 February 2021, increasing the length of the operational metro system to 54.1 km (33.62 mi).[21]
In 2021, CMRL proposed an extension to the first phase to connect the Airport with Kilambakkam.[22] Detailed project report for the project was submitted by CMRL in 2022.[23] The As of October 2023, the project is awaiting funds.[24]
The trains are operated on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge double-tracked lines.[25] The average speed of operation is 85 kilometres per hour (53 mph) and maximum speed is 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph).[26] Alstom supplies the rolling stock for the trains operated on the line.[27] The trains are air-conditioned with electrically operated automatic sliding doors and have a first-class compartment with a dedicated section reserved for women.[28]
The trains operate on 25 kV ACtractioncatenary system.[29] The trains are connected to the grid via overhead electric cables and are equipped with regenerative braking with a capacity to recover 30–35% of the energy during braking.[30] The electricity is supplied by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.[31]
A total of 26 stations are operational along the blue line with 13 underground stations. In the underground sections, a walkway runs along the length with cross passages every 250 metres (820 ft 3 in) for the maintenance and emergency evacuation.[32] The underground stations have an average width of 200 metres (656 ft 2 in) and average depth of 20 feet (6.1 m) from the ground level.[33] The length of the stations in Phase 1 extension is 180 metres (590 ft 7 in).[34][35] The elevated stations have three levels with the concourse level at a minimum height of 5.5 metres (18 ft 1 in) above the ground level and platform level above the concourse while the underground stations have two levels with platform screen doors.[36] The stations are air-conditioned and are equipped to be disabled and elderly friendly, with automatic fare collection system, announcement system, electronic display boards, escalators and lifts.[37] Paid parking facilities are available for two wheelers in most stations and four wheelers in select stations.[38]
The line connects the northeast and the southwest ends of the city. The stations include:
As of 2022[update], the metro operates trains from 5 AM to 11 PM with an average frequency of one train every 6 minutes in peak hours and every 12 minutes in lean hours in the blue line.[42][43] The main operational control center (OCC) is located in Koyambedu where the movement of trains and real-time CCTV footage obtained is monitored.[44] In 2022, an elevated depot at Wimco Nagar covering an area of 3.5 ha (8.6 acres) commenced operations with facilities for inspection, emergency repair and a washing plant.[45][46] The minimum fare is ₹10 and the maximum fare is ₹50.[47][48] There are six types of tickets issued by CMRL for travel in Chennai Metro.[49]
