# Blue Line (Chennai Metro)

The Blue Line is one of the two operational lines of Chennai Metro apart from the Green line, in Chennai, India. 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.

## Planning and construction
### Phase I

In 2006, a modern metro rail system was planned for Chennai modeled after the Delhi Metro. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was tasked with preparing a detailed project report on the implementation of metro system in Chennai. Based on the report, the Government of Tamil Nadu approved the first phase of the project in November 2007. The first phase was planned with two lines covering 45.1 km (28.0 mi) with 25 km (15.5 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. In December 2007, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) was incorporated and the Government of India gave approval for the project in January 2009.
The construction started in June 2009. In August 2010, the contract for supplying rolling stock was awarded to Alstom. Test and trial runs happened on the Green line in 2013 and early 2014. 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. On 21 September 2016, commercial operations commenced between Airport and Little Mount on the blue line. In May 2018, the blue line was extended between Saidapet and AG-DMS. On 10 February 2019, the underground stretch from AG-DMS to Washermanpet of blue line was opened, completing the first phase of the metro.
| Line Name | Terminals | Terminals | Stations | Opened |
| Blue Line | Chennai Airport | Little Mount | 6 | 21 September 2016 |
| Blue Line | Little Mount | AG–DMS | 4 | 25 May 2018 |
| Blue Line | AG–DMS | Washermanpet | 7 | 10 February 2019 |

### Phase 1 Extension

A 9 kilometres (5.59 mi) northern extension of the blue line running from Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar consisting of nine stations. Construction started in July 2016 with trial runs in December 2020. 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).
| Line Name | Terminals | Terminals | Stations | Opened |
| Blue Line | Washermanpet | Wimco Nagar | 8 | 14 February 2021 |
| Blue Line | Wimco Nagar | Wimco Nagar Depot | 1 | 13 March 2022 |

### Future plans

In 2021, CMRL proposed an extension to the first phase to connect the Airport with Kilambakkam. Detailed project report for the project was submitted by CMRL in 2022. The As of October 2023, the project is awaiting funds.
| Line | Terminals | Terminals | Length | Stations | Status |
| Blue Line | Chennai Airport | Kilambakkam | 15.46 km (9.61 mi) | 13 | DPR prepared |

## Infrastructure

The trains are operated on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge double-tracked lines. The average speed of operation is 85 kilometres per hour (53 mph) and maximum speed is 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph). Alstom supplies the rolling stock for the trains operated on the line. The trains are air-conditioned with electrically operated automatic sliding doors and have a first-class compartment with a dedicated section reserved for women.
The trains operate on 25 kV AC traction catenary system. 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. The electricity is supplied by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.

## Network

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. 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. The length of the stations in Phase 1 extension is 180 metres (590 ft 7 in). 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. 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. Paid parking facilities are available for two wheelers in most stations and four wheelers in select stations.
The line connects the northeast and the southwest ends of the city. The stations include:
Blue Line :
| S.No | Station name | Station name | Connections | Station layout | Platform type | Opened |
| S.No | English | Tamil | Connections | Station layout | Platform type | Opened |
| 1 | Wimco Nagar Depot | விம்கோ நகர் பணிமனை | | Elevated | Side | 13 March 2022 |
| 2 | Wimco Nagar | விம்கோ நகர் | North Line, Chennai Suburban (Wimco Nagar) | Elevated | Side | 14 February 2021 |
| 3 | Tiruvottriyur | திருவொற்றியூர் | | Elevated | Side | 14 February 2021 |
| 4 | Tiruvottriyur Theradi | திருவொற்றியூர் தேரடி | | Elevated | Side | 13 March 2022 |
| 5 | Kaladipet | காலடிப்பேட்டை | | Elevated | Side | 14 February 2021 |
| 6 | Tollgate | சுங்கச்சாவடி | | Elevated | Side | 14 February 2021 |
| 7 | New Washermanpet | புது வண்ணாரப்பேட்டை | | Elevated | Side | 14 February 2021 |
| 8 | Tondiarpet | தண்டையார்பேட்டை | | Underground | Island | 14 February 2021 |
| 9 | Sir Theagaraya College | தியாகராயா கல்லூரி | | Underground | Island | 14 February 2021 |
| 10 | Washermanpet | வண்ணாரப்பேட்டை | North Line, Chennai Suburban (Washermanpet) | Underground | Island | 10 February 2019 |
| 11 | Mannadi | மண்ணடி | | Underground | Island | 10 February 2019 |
| 12 | High Court | உயர் நீதிமன்றம் | Broadway bus terminus | Underground | Island | 10 February 2019 |
| 13 | Central | சென்ட்ரல் | Green Line Chennai Central South Line, Chennai Suburban (Park) West Line, Chennai Suburban (Moore Market) Chennai MRTS (Park Town) | Underground | Island | 10 February 2019 |
| 14 | Government Estate | அரசினர் தோட்டம் | Chennai MRTS (Chintadripet Station) | Underground | Island | 10 February 2019 | 15 | LIC | எல்.ஐ.சி |
| 16 | Thousand Lights | ஆயிரம் விளக்கு | Purple Line | Underground | Island | 10 February 2019 |
| 17 | AG – DMS | ஏ.ஜி.–டி.எம்.எஸ். | | Underground | Island | 10 February 2019 | 25 May 2018 |
| 18 | Teynampet | தேனாம்பேட்டை | | Underground | Island | | 25 May 2018 |
| 19 | Nandanam | நந்தனம் | Orange Line | Underground | Island | | 25 May 2018 |
| 20 | Saidapet | சைதாப்பேட்டை | | Underground | Island | | 25 May 2018 |
| 21 | Little Mount | சின்னமலை | | Underground | Island | Elevated | Side | 21 September 2016 |
| 22 | Guindy | கிண்டி | South Line, Chennai Suburban (Guindy) | | | Elevated | Side | 21 September 2016 |
| 23 | Alandur | ஆலந்தூர் | Green Line Red Line | | | Elevated | Side | 21 September 2016 |
| 24 | Nanganallur Road | நங்கநல்லூர் சாலை | | | | Elevated | Side | 21 September 2016 |
| 25 | Meenambakkam | மீனம்பாக்கம் | South Line, Chennai Suburban (Meenambakkam) | | | Elevated | Side | 21 September 2016 |
| 26 | Chennai Airport | சென்னை விமான நிலையம் | Chennai International Airport South Line, Chennai Suburban (Tirusulam) | | | Elevated | Side | 21 September 2016 |
$^§$ under construction

## Operations

As of 2022, the metro operates trains from 5 AM to 11 PM with an average frequency of one train every 5 minutes in peak hours and every 8 minutes in lean hours in the blue line. The main operational control center (OCC) is located in Koyambedu where the movement of trains and real-time CCTV footage obtained is monitored. 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. The minimum fare is ₹10 and the maximum fare is ₹50. There are six types of tickets issued by CMRL for travel in Chennai Metro.