Lok Sabha Question No. 395 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: Expansion of Metro Rail Projects in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Selvam G, Shri C N Annadurai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 395

TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 19, 2026

## EXPANSION OF METRO RAIL PROJECTS IN TAMIL NADU

NO. 395. SHRI SELVAM G: SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

Will the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  expansion  of  Metro  Rail projects  in  Tamil  Nadu  has  contributed  to  improved  urban  mobility, reduction in travel time, lower vehicular emissions and increased use
- of public transport and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment of projected ridership  growth,  traffic  decongestion  benefits  and  carbon  emission reduction resulting from ongoing and proposed Metro expansions in the State and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  approved  or  is  considering  Metro  Rail projects  for  Tier-II  cities  in  view  of  their  rapid  urbanisation,  growing industrial  base  and  increasing  traffic  density  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) the total Central financial assistance sanctioned, released and utilised for  Metro  Rail  projects  in  Tamil  Nadu  during  the  last  three  financial years, year-wise; and
- (e) the measures taken to ensure timely completion, cost efficiency and integration of metro systems with other modes of public transport?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI MANOHAR LAL)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 395 FOR ANSWER ON 19 th  MARCH 2026 REGARDING  EXPANSION  OF  METRO  RAIL  PROJECTS  IN  TAMIL  NADU ASKED BY SHRI SELVAM G AND SHRI C N ANNADURAI

(a) to (c): Urban transport, which is an integral part of Urban Development, is  a  state  subject.  Hence,  respective  State  Government/Union  Territory (UT) is responsible for initiating and developing urban transport infrastructure including metro  rail projects.  The  Central  Government considers financial assistance for such projects in cities or urban agglomerates,  based  on  feasibility  of  the  proposal  and  availability  of resources, as and when posed by the concerned State Government/Union Territory (UT).  In the past, Central Government had given financial support for 54 km of metro network under Chennai Phase-1 and Phase-1 Extension, which are operational since February 2019 and March 2022 respectively. In addition, Central Government has sanctioned Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase2 with route length of 118.9 kms at cost of ₹ 63,246.4 Cr.

The ridership and its growth, traffic decongestion benefits and carbon emission reduction are worked out as part of the Detailed Project Report study while posing such proposal for Central Government sanction as per the  extant  Metro  Policy  2017.    Chennai  Metro  Rail  Limited  has  informed that  the  current  daily  ridership  of  the  Chennai  Metro  Phase  1  &  Phase-1 extension is 4.6 lakh. Chennai Metro Rail Limited has further informed that with  implementation  of  Chennai  Metro  Phase  1  and  Phase-1  extension there is saving of carbon dioxide emission by 2,29,357 tonne annually. The projected growth of the daily ridership is 17.7 lakh with operationalization of Chennai Metro Phase-2.

(d): As per sanction order, total contribution from Government of India for Chennai  Metro  Rail  Phase2  project  is  ₹  7,424.9  Cr  towards  Equity  and Subordinate Debt. In addition, Central Government is also providing Pass Through  Assistance  against  the  external  loan.  Central  Government  has released  fund  to  the  tune  of  ₹  14,242.64  Cr  for  Chennai  Metro  phase -2 project as per demand raised by Chennai Metro Rail Limited from time to time, since sanction of project in the month of October 2024.

## Year-wise details of funds released are tabulated below:

(₹ in crore)

| Fund released (Year-wise)   | Equity   |   Subordinate Debt | Pass Through Assistance   | Total     |
|-----------------------------|----------|--------------------|---------------------------|-----------|
| 2024-25                     | 3,566.21 |             537.82 | 1,450.12                  | 5,554.15  |
| 2025-26                     | 1,841.19 |             458.81 | 6,388.49                  | 8,688.49  |
| Total released              | 5,407.4  |             996.63 | 7,838.61                  | 14,242.64 |

(e): The  progress  of  ongoing  project  is  regularly  monitored  by  a  High Powered Committee, Board of Directors of Metro Rail Corporation and also at different levels in Central and State Government  for its timely completion.  Chennai  Metro  Rail  Limited  has  informed  that  they  have implemented Project Management Information System (PMIS) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) for project monitoring and timely completion of project.  Contract  management  issues  are  periodically  reviewed  and  the designs optimised for stations, viaduct etc. for cost efficiency. CMRL has further stated that corridors are already integrated with other modes such as major Bus Stand, Railway Stations & Airport in Chennai Metro Phase 1 as well as Chennai Metro Phase 2.

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