Chennai (Madras)  
elevated metro, metro under construction



The 17 station, 24.7 km Chennai mass rapid railway (aka the flying train) opened in 1998. An additional 4.5 km opened in 2004, followed by a 3 km extension is due to open in 2011, with further extensions planned. The two line elevated railway looks more like a commuter train but it is indeed a true metro. Chennai's MRTS will integrate with it's truer metro, now under construction (see below).

The MRTS is known far and wide for it's pristine cleanliness.

Wikipedia page

According to this site, an unfinished subway also exists in Chennai, part of which is used as a swimming pool.




Metro

In April 2005, Chennai hired Delhi Metro Rail to complete a feasability study for a 3 line metro. The 45.1 km 2 line system will be elevated except for a 2.4 km stretch, which will be underground. Phase I is due to open in 2013.

In August 2010, a 9 km extension to Line 1 was proposed.

Monorail

The contract awarding process for a three line first phase of the Chennai monorail is currently underway. The lines will be 23kms, 18kms and 16kms resptively in length and will connect with the existing suburban railway, the single-line elevated MRTS system and under construction metro network.

Chennai Metrorail Home Page
1997 The Week's report on the new Chennai metro
Train Derails on Chennai Metro
Unofficial Home Page
MRTS photos
Map
CMDA official home page describing projects
History of the Chennai metro
Be sure to watch out for nosy officials
Station photos and train views from Sridhar Narayanan
Photo of new Chennai EMU
Metro rail for Chennai? from The Hindu August 2003
Chennai MRTS to add new lines The Hindu, October 30, 2003
MRTS services extended to Tiruvanmiyur in January 2004
MRTS services extended
The Last Train Ride: The MG suburban lines closes (June, 2004)
Chennai monorail project dies
SSC page



Chennai metro under construction