Green Line (Chennai Metro)

The Green Line is one of the two operational lines of Chennai Metro apart from the Blue line. The line stretches from Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount, covering a distance of 22 km (14 mi). The line consists of 17 stations out of which nine stations are underground and the rest are elevated or on ground level.

Green Line
A metro train on the Green line entering Koyambedu station
Overview
StatusFully Operational
LocaleChennai
Termini
Stations17
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemChennai Metro
Operator(s)Chennai Metro Rail Limited
Depot(s)Koyambedu
Rolling stockAlstom
History
Opened25 September 2015 (2015-09-25)
Technical
Line length22 km (14 mi)
Number of tracks2
Character9.7 km (6.0 mi) Underground
12.3 km (7.6 mi) Elevated
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead catenary
Operating speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map

M.G.R Central
Egmore
Nehru Park
Kilpauk Medical College Purple Line
Pachaiyappa's College
Shenoy Nagar
Anna Nagar East
Anna Nagar Tower
Thirumangalam Red Line
NH4-IN.svg NH 4: EVR Periyar Salai
Koyambedu depot
Koyambedu Red Line
Jayalalithaa CMBT
Arumbakkam
Vadapalani Orange Line
Ashok Nagar
Ekkattuthangal
Arignar Anna Alandur
St. Thomas Mount

Planning for the metro started in 2007-08 with the construction commencing in February 2009. Testing began in 2014, and the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety approved the operations in January 2015. On 29 June 2015, commercial operations started between Alandur and Koyambedu stations on the green line with the first underground section between Thirumangalam to Nehru Park operational on 14 May 2017, which was later extended to Chennai Central on 25 May 2018.

Planning and construction

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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]

In February 2009, a 199 crore (US$24 million) contract was awarded for the construction of a 4.5 km (2.80 mi) long viaduct along the Inner Ring Road between Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar.[5] The construction started on 10 June 2009.[6] In August 2010, the contract for supplying rolling stock was awarded to Alstom.[7][8] In January 2011, a joint venture between Larsen and Toubro and Alstom was awarded the contract for design and construction of track works and a depot at Koyambedu for 449.22 crore (US$54 million).[9][10]

On 14 February 2014, the maiden trial run was conducted between Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar stations.[11][12] In August 2014, the metro received the statutory speed certification clearance from the Research Design and Standards Organisation.[13][14] In January 2015, a report was submitted to the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety for approval.[15] In April 2015, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety inspected the rolling stock and submitted the report to the Railway Board.[16][17][18]

On 29 June 2015, commercial operations started between Alandur and Koyambedu stations on the green line.[19] On 14 May 2017, operations commenced in the first underground line between Thirumangalam to Nehru Park on the green line, which was extended to Chennai central on 25 May 2018.[20]

Line Name Terminals Stations Opened Map
Green Line Koyambedu Alandur 7 29 June 2015  
Alandur St. Thomas Mount 1 14 October 2016
Koyambedu Nehru Park 7 15 May 2017
Nehru Park Central 2 25 May 2018

Infrastructure

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The trains are operated on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge double-tracked lines.[21] The average speed of operation is 85 kilometres per hour (53 mph) and maximum speed is 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph).[22] Alstom supplies the rolling stock for the trains operated on the line.[23] The trains are air-conditioned with electrically operated automatic sliding doors and have a first-class compartment with a dedicated section reserved for women.[24] The trains operate on 25 kV AC traction catenary system.[25] 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.[26] The electricity is supplied by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.[27]

Network

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Platform screen doors in underground stations

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.[28] 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.[29] The length of the stations in Phase 1 extension is 180 metres (590 ft 7 in).[30][31] 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.[32] 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.[33] Paid parking facilities are available for two wheelers in most stations and four wheelers in select stations.[34]

The line connects the central and the southwest ends of the city. The stations include:

Green Line
S.No Station name[35][36] Connections Station layout Platform type Opened Location
English Tamil
1 Central சென்ட்ரல்   Blue Line
  Chennai Central
  South Line, Chennai Suburban (Park)
  West Line, Chennai Suburban (Moore Market)
  Chennai MRTS (Park Town)
Underground Island 25 May 2018 13°04′53″N 80°16′22″E / 13.0814°N 80.2729°E / 13.0814; 80.2729
2 Egmore எழும்பூர்   Chennai Egmore 13°04′45″N 80°15′40″E / 13.079062°N 80.261062°E / 13.079062; 80.261062
3 Nehru Park நேரு பூங்கா 15 May 2017 13°04′44″N 80°15′00″E / 13.0787905°N 80.2500871°E / 13.0787905; 80.2500871
4 Kilpauk கீழ்ப்பாக்கம்   Purple Line[§] 13°04′39″N 80°14′34″E / 13.077536°N 80.242866°E / 13.077536; 80.242866
5 Pachaiyappa's College பச்சையப்பன் கல்லூரி 13°07′56.65″N 80°23′13.1″E / 13.1324028°N 80.386972°E / 13.1324028; 80.386972
6 Shenoy Nagar செனாய் நகர் 13°4′39.76″N 80°13′30.37″E / 13.0777111°N 80.2251028°E / 13.0777111; 80.2251028
7 Anna Nagar East அண்ணா நகர் கிழக்கு 13°05′06″N 80°12′31″E / 13.085041°N 80.208728°E / 13.085041; 80.208728
8 Anna Nagar Tower அண்ணா நகர் கோபுரம் 13°05′06″N 80°12′31″E / 13.085041°N 80.208728°E / 13.085041; 80.208728
9 Thirumangalam திருமங்கலம்   Red Line[§] 13°05′07″N 80°12′00″E / 13.085194°N 80.199950°E / 13.085194; 80.199950
10 Koyambedu கோயம்பேடு Elevated Side 29 June 2015 13°04′24″N 80°11′30″E / 13.073249°N 80.191584°E / 13.073249; 80.191584
11 Koyambedu Depot கோயம்பேடு பணிமனை 13°04′11″N 80°11′21″E / 13.069615°N 80.189067°E / 13.069615; 80.189067
11 CMBT சென்னை புறநகர் பேருந்து நிலையம்   Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus 13°04′06″N 80°12′23″E / 13.068413°N 80.206316°E / 13.068413; 80.206316
12 Arumbakkam அரும்பாக்கம் 13°3′44″N 80°12′42″E / 13.06222°N 80.21167°E / 13.06222; 80.21167
13 Vadapalani வடபழனி   Orange Line[§] 13°03′02″N 80°12′43″E / 13.05050°N 80.21208°E / 13.05050; 80.21208
14 Ashok Nagar அசோக் நகர் 13°02′08″N 80°12′41″E / 13.035483°N 80.211329°E / 13.035483; 80.211329
15 Ekkattuthangal ஈக்காட்டுத்தாங்கல் 13°01′02″N 80°12′19″E / 13.017128°N 80.205302°E / 13.017128; 80.205302
16 Alandur ஆலந்தூர்   Blue Line
  Red Line[§]
13°00′15″N 80°12′05″E / 13.0042°N 80.2015°E / 13.0042; 80.2015
17 St. Thomas Mount பரங்கிமலை   Red Line[§]
  South Line, Chennai Suburban (St. Thomas Mount)
  Chennai MRTS (St. Thomas Mount)[§]
14 October 2016 12°35′39″N 80°06′56″E / 12.5941°N 80.1156°E / 12.5941; 80.1156

§ under construction

Operations

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As of 2022, the metro operates trains from 5 AM to 11 PM with an average frequency of one train every 12 minutes in peak hours and every 18 minutes in lean hours in the green line.[37][38] The main operational control center (OCC) is located in Koyambedu where the movement of trains and real-time CCTV footage obtained is monitored.[39] Chennai Metro maintains a major depot at Koyambedu covering an area of 26 ha (64 acres) which houses maintenance workshops, stabling lines, test tracks and a washing plant for the trains.[40][41] The minimum fare is 10 and the maximum fare is 50.[42][43] There are six types of tickets issued by CMRL for travel in Chennai Metro.[44]

See also

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References

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