Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) is preparing to stretch its network further westward with a 22 km extension from Koyambedu to Pattabiram. The new line, planned through Ambattur and Avadi, is expected to ease commuting for the rapidly growing western suburbs by the end of this decade.
The corridor is being integrated with the long-pending expansion of the Chennai–Tiruttani Highway (CTH). In a coordinated move, three flyovers along the stretch are being built as part of the metro project itself. These grade separators will come up between Ambattur Estate and Telephone Exchange, Dunlop and Ambattur suburban station, and between Murugappa Polytechnic and KC Hospital. To optimise land use and speed up construction, the supporting pillars are being designed to serve both the metro viaduct and the flyovers.
Land acquisition along the route is already in progress. Beyond Avadi, where suburban trains remain the mainstay of travel, CMRL has plans to transform the locality into a multi-modal hub. The close proximity of the metro terminus, suburban railway station, and CTH road offers scope for seamless integration. Proposals are also on the table to redevelop the Avadi bus terminus as part of the project, paving the way for enhanced last-mile connectivity.