Transport in Chennai
Encyclopedia
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
has a well-developed transport infrastructure. The city and its suburbs may be traversed using its road and rail networks.
Roads
- For the planned 2-tier urban transit, see Chennai HSCTCChennai HSCTCChennai High Speed Circular Transportation Corridors is an urban road transit in the form of elevated concentric beltways planned for the city of Chennai. The beltways are envisaged as an elevated 2-tier system with design speed of 80 km/h. The top tier is a 2-lane dedicated corridor for the...
- For the elevated expressways, see Chennai Elevated ExpresswaysChennai Elevated ExpresswaysChennai Elevated Expressways is a Road Network Development Scheme of the Second Master Plan by CMDA for the Chennai city.- Corridors :A total of 5 Elevated Corridors have been proposed as a medium-term Scheme....
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
's economic development has been closely tied to its port and transport infrastructure, and it is considered as the best infrastructure in India.
The city and metropolitan area are served by major arterial roads that run either in an east-west or north-south direction . Anna Salai
Anna Salai
Anna Salai , formerly known as Mount Road, an abbreviated form of St. Thomas Mount Road, is an arterial road in Chennai, India. It starts at the Cooum Creek, south of Fort St George and ends at the Kathipara Junction in Guindy...
— or Mount Road as it is more popularly called — is the city's most famous road. It traverses most of central and south Chennai and leads on to the Grand Southern Trunk Road (National Highway 45) to Thiruchirapalli. The road runs in a north-east to south-west direction. Other arterials include Kamaraj Salai (north-south), Poonamalee High Road (east-west), Radhakrishnan Salai (east-west), and Sardar Patel Road (east-west).
East Coast Road starts from Thiruvanmiyur
Thiruvanmiyur
-Transport:The area is easily accessible by Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses and has a sprawling bus terminus. Bus Routes connecting Thiruvanmiyur with other places in Chennai are: 1, 1A, 1C, 1D, 6D, 22A, 23C Extn., 29M,29C Extn., 41C, A47, 47A, 47D, M1, M49, M7, C51, T51, M23, M19, M70,...
and connects Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry and extends beyond.
National Highways
Four major National Highways radiate outward from Chennai:- Erukkancherry High Road to the northwest, becoming National Highway 5 to KolkataKolkataKolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
; - Poonamallee High Road (Periyar Salai) to the west, becoming National Highway 4 to MumbaiMumbaiMumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
(via BangaloreBangaloreBengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
and PunePunePune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
); - Mount Road (Anna Salai) to the south-west, becoming National Highway 45 to TiruchirapalliTiruchirapalliTiruchirappalli ) , also called Tiruchi or Trichy , is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli District. It is the fourth largest municipal corporation in Tamil Nadu and also the fourth largest urban agglomeration in the state...
and the interior of Tamil NaduTamil NaduTamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
; - Madras-Tiruvallur High Road (MTH Road), built parallel to NH 4 to the west, becoming National Highway 205 to TiruvallurTiruvallurTiruvallur is a temple town and Grade I municipality in Tiruvallur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Cooum river about northwest of the city of Chennai , the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Tiruvallur district...
;
Ring Roads
Chennai is also served by the three major ring roads that are being developed.- The Inner Ring RoadInner Ring Road, ChennaiThe Inner Ring Road is a major transportation corridor being developed in Chennai Metropolitan Area by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority...
starts from Tiruvanmiyur and ends at TPP road at Manali connecting NH 45, NH 4National Highway 4 (India)National Highway 4 is a major National Highway in Western and Southern India. NH 4 links four of the 10 most populous Indian cities - Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai. NH 4 is in length and passes through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.NH 4 constitutes...
, NH 205 and NH 5. - The Chennai BypassChennai bypassThe Chennai Bypass is a full-access controlled expressway that interconnects four radial Indian National Highways around Chennai, India covering a distance of from Tambaram to Madhavaram via Maduravoyal at a cost of INR 4,050 million...
starts from Irumbuliyur and ends at Madhavaram connecting NH 45, NH 4National Highway 4 (India)National Highway 4 is a major National Highway in Western and Southern India. NH 4 links four of the 10 most populous Indian cities - Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai. NH 4 is in length and passes through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.NH 4 constitutes...
, NH 205 and NH 5. - The Outer Ring RoadOuter Ring Road, ChennaiThe Outer Ring Road is a major transport corridor being developed along the periphery of Chennai Metropolitan Area by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority . It is 62.3 km long connecting NH 45 at Vandalur, NH 4 at Nazarathpet, NH 205 at Nemilicherry, NH 5 at Nallur and TPP road...
starts from VandalurVandalurVandalur is a census town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Arignar Anna Zoological Park, located here houses some rare species of wild flora and fauna and is famous throughout India....
and ends at Minjur connecting NH 45, NH 4National Highway 4 (India)National Highway 4 is a major National Highway in Western and Southern India. NH 4 links four of the 10 most populous Indian cities - Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai. NH 4 is in length and passes through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.NH 4 constitutes...
, NH 205 and NH 5.
Urban sprawl
Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a multifaceted concept, which includes the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density and auto-dependent development on rural land, high segregation of uses Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a...
. When the Inner Ring Road was built in the early 1980s, it used to effectively bypass the city and was valuable for rapid freight movement between the south-west NH 45 and the north-west NH 5. The city grew subsequently and subsumed the road as part of itself. To answer questions of traffic congestion on the Inner Ring Road, the Chennai Bypass road was built. It currently links NH 45 with NH 4, and a second stage linking NH 4 with NH 5 is under construction. Elevated roadways are also proposed along several sections of existing roadway to reduce travel time
.
The Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus
Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus
The Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus or CMBT is a modern, state-of-the-art bus terminus located in Chennai, India catering to outstation buses. Spread over an area of in Koyambedu, it is the largest bus terminus in Asia and is accredited with the ISO 9001:2000 quality certification for its quality...
(CMBT) foundation stone laid by Chief Minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
M.Karunanidhi in 1999 and was opened in 2001 in Koyambedu
Koyambedu
Koyambedu is a locality in the South Indian city of Chennai. The Koyambedu area has become a major hub of activity in Chennai City after the inauguration of the market and the bus terminus...
in western Chennai by the then Chief Minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
Ms. J. Jayalalitha
J. Jayalalithaa
Jayalalithaa Jayaram ; born 24 February 1948) commonly referred to as J. Jayalalitha, is the Chief Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. She is the incumbent general secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam , a Dravidian party. She is called Amma and Puratchi Thalaivi by her...
. The CMBT is the largest bus station in Asia, and serves as the terminus for all intercity buses from Chennai. The CMBT is located on the Inner Ring Road, replacing the older terminus on the Esplanade in the city centre. State transport and private bus services to all major cities and towns in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
and neighbouring states start from here.
Public Transport
- For the proposed bus rapid transit systems, see Chennai BRTSChennai BRTSChennai Bus Rapid Transit System is a new rapid transit project taken up as an integrated part of Circular Corridor Project. Beginning at Adyar, the route will cover Saidapet, Jafferkanpet, Ramavaram, Puzhal, Manali, Chennai Central Railway Station, Lighthouse and will return to Adyar. The...
and Chennai RBTWChennai RBTWThe Chennai Rapid Bus Transit Ways is a part of the Medium-term and Long-term Transport Scheme proposed in the Second Master Plan by CMDA...
Most of Chennai's intra-city transport requirements are met by an extensive public transport
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
system. The bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
service, which is run by the government-owned Metropolitan Transport Corporation
Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai)
- External links :* * * *...
covers the city and its suburbs. Bus services are generally considered efficient, but buses on some routes can get very crowded at times. The bus service, which plies about 3257 buses on 622 routes, moves an estimated 4.35 million passengers each day
.
In addition to the bus service, private metered call taxis
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
and fixed-rate tourist taxis are available at all entry points to the city like airport, mofussil bus terminus and central railway station.
Unmetered autos
Auto rickshaw
An auto rickshaw or three-wheeler is a usually three-wheeled cabin cycle for private use and as a vehicle for hire. It is a motorized version of the traditional pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw...
ply across the city and is the most dangerous mode of transport in Chennai. Drivers always demand flat rates and certainly need extensive bargaining as they often ask for more than three times the actual fare. However, avoid using autorickshaws until and unless it is an emergency and no other means of transport is available as the autorickshaw drivers in Chennai grossly overcharge and often behave rudely and drive rashly.
Alternative to the auto rickshaws are the share autos, in which passengers pay a shared fee to their destination. Its one of the ideal and economic options for most passengers without heavy luggages.
Vans
Vans
Vans is an American based manufacturer of sneakers, skateboarding shoes, BMX shoes, snowboarding boots and other shoe types.- History :On March 16, 1966, at 704 E. Broadway, in Anaheim, California, brothers Paul Van Doren, James Van Doren, and three other partners opened up their first store...
which are run like bus services and popularly called "Maxi Cabs" also ply on many routes in the city. The outlying suburban areas of the city are also served by private mini bus company services as well as government bus transport corporations of neighbouring districts.
Despite a sharp increase in the number of four wheelers in the city, motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s, moped
Moped
Mopeds are a type of low-powered motorcycle designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements.Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals , but moped has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their...
s and motorscooters are still very prevalent, all of which are preferred to car
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s due to their affordability, fuel efficiency
Fuel efficiency
Fuel efficiency is a form of thermal efficiency, meaning the efficiency of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier fuel into kinetic energy or work. Overall fuel efficiency may vary per device, which in turn may vary per application, and this spectrum of variance is...
, maneuverability, and ease of parking
Parking
Parking is the act of stopping a vehicle and leaving it unoccupied for more than a brief time. Parking on one or both sides of a road is commonly permitted, though often with restrictions...
.
Railway Network
Suburban System
The Chennai suburban railway system has 6 lines with a total system length of about 896.5 km (557 mi) (non redundant track length) of which 286 km (178 mi) are true suburban and 610.5 km (379 mi) MEMU service].- North Line: Chennai Central MMCMoore MarketThe Moore Market Complex is a commercial building complex and railway terminus for the Chennai suburban railway system, situated in Park Town, Chennai...
— EnnoreEnnoreEnnore is a suburb in Chennai, India. Ennore is situated on a peninsula and is bounded by the Korttalaiyar River, Ennore creek and the Bay of Bengal...
— GummidipoondiGummidipoondiGummidipoondi is an industrial town in Thiruvallur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.Gummdipoondi lies on the National Highway 5 from Chennai to Calcutta. This road is part of the Golden Quadrilateral which is a project launched by the Vajpayee Government...
— SullurpetaSullurpetaSullurupeta is a town in Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh state, India. It is the mandal headquarters for sullurupeta mandal. It is the gateway of SHAR, Shriharikota Rocket Launching Station and often called as Rocket Town. Other names used Sullurupet....
(— GudurGudurGudur is third largest town and municipality,in Nellore District in the state of Andhra Pradesh. In India, Gudur is the largest division in Nellore and a very old municipality. The mica belt around Gudur is considered the 2nd largest in the country. The mica deposits are located in a 1000sq.km...
— NelloreNelloreNellore , is a city and headquarters of Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore District, formerly Nellore district.And in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Ancient name of Nellore was "Vikrama Simhapuri"....
— BitraguntaBitragunta|-Bitragunta is a village in Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, India. The village got its name when the British found good drinking water and named it "Better-gunta" which later became Bitragunta....
) - South Line: Chennai BeachChennai BeachChennai Beach , formerly known as Madras Beach, is a railway terminus of the Southern Railway Network in Chennai , India. This station handles mainly suburban trains in Chennai suburban railway and a few passenger trains...
— TambaramTambaramTambaram is a suburb of Chennai situated 27 km south of the city in Tamil Nadu, India. It is an urban node. Tambaram is a hub to all major destinations in south Tamil Nadu as it lies on the busy Chennai–Trichy national highway. The highway and the railway line from Chennai Egmore to...
— ChengalpattuChingleputChingleput or Chengalpattu or Chengalpet is a city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The name of the city is derived from the old nomenclature 'chenkazhuneer patru'...
(— MelmaruvathurMelmaruvathurMelmaruvathur is a town situated on NH-45 between Chennai and Tindivanam. It is 92 kilometers from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, India. The famous AdiParasakthi Temple is situated here. It is well connected by trains and buses from Chennai and elsewhere....
— TindivanamTindivanamTindivanam is a town and a municipality in Viluppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Important roads from north to south Tamil Nadu pass through Tindivanam and similarly from west to east.-History:Tindivanam is a Selection grade Municipal Town...
— Villupuram) - South West Line: Chennai BeachChennai BeachChennai Beach , formerly known as Madras Beach, is a railway terminus of the Southern Railway Network in Chennai , India. This station handles mainly suburban trains in Chennai suburban railway and a few passenger trains...
— TambaramTambaramTambaram is a suburb of Chennai situated 27 km south of the city in Tamil Nadu, India. It is an urban node. Tambaram is a hub to all major destinations in south Tamil Nadu as it lies on the busy Chennai–Trichy national highway. The highway and the railway line from Chennai Egmore to...
— ChengalpattuChingleputChingleput or Chengalpattu or Chengalpet is a city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The name of the city is derived from the old nomenclature 'chenkazhuneer patru'...
(— KanchipuramKanchipuramKanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
— TirumalpurTirumalpurTirumalpur is an important temple town and a suburb of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. It is also an important suburban train station along the south west line of Chennai Suburban Railway.The place is famous for the historic Thirumarperu Siva temple.-References:...
— ArakkonamArakkonamArakkonam is a mid-sized City in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with a population of about 101,626 as per the census 2011...
) - West Line: Chennai Central MMCMoore MarketThe Moore Market Complex is a commercial building complex and railway terminus for the Chennai suburban railway system, situated in Park Town, Chennai...
— TiruvallurTiruvallurTiruvallur is a temple town and Grade I municipality in Tiruvallur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Cooum river about northwest of the city of Chennai , the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Tiruvallur district...
— ArakkonamArakkonamArakkonam is a mid-sized City in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with a population of about 101,626 as per the census 2011...
(— KatpadiKatpadiKatpadi is an area in Vellore, at the northern most part of Vellore city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The place gained importance due to its strategic location on the broad gauge line between Chennai-Bangalore and Villupuram-Tirupati. It is known to house VIT, one of India's premier...
— JolarpetJolarpetJolarpet is a panchayat town in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, India.Now it is IInd grade municipality from 2011. It is an important railway junction in Southern Railway. It is located 7km from Tirupattur and 18 km from Vaniyambadi...
) - West North Line: Chennai Central MMCMoore MarketThe Moore Market Complex is a commercial building complex and railway terminus for the Chennai suburban railway system, situated in Park Town, Chennai...
— TiruvallurTiruvallurTiruvallur is a temple town and Grade I municipality in Tiruvallur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Cooum river about northwest of the city of Chennai , the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Tiruvallur district...
— ArakkonamArakkonamArakkonam is a mid-sized City in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with a population of about 101,626 as per the census 2011...
— TiruttaniTiruttaniTiruttani is a town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the main tourist centre in Thiruvallur district about 84 km from Chennai. Thiruthani Murugan Temple is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga. Tiruttani is 15 km from Andhra Pradesh state...
(— ReniguntaReniguntaRenigunta is a suburban area of Tirupati, a major pilgrimage centre for Hindus. Renigunta was initially set up as a railway junction to decongest the traffic at Tirupati East railway station. Later in the 1970s, Tirupati Airport was set up. This Tirupati suburb is popularly known as the 'Dwaar' ...
— Tirupati) - West South Line: Chennai BeachChennai BeachChennai Beach , formerly known as Madras Beach, is a railway terminus of the Southern Railway Network in Chennai , India. This station handles mainly suburban trains in Chennai suburban railway and a few passenger trains...
— RoyapuramRoyapuramRoyapuram , a locality of Chennai, South India, is the place where the first railway station of south India was constructed, and from where the laying down of the second railway line of the South Asia commenced in the 1850s. This railway line extended from Royapuram to Arcot, then capital of the...
— WashermanpetWashermanpetWashermanpet is located in northern part of Chennai, a city situated on the east coast of the southern India. The name comes from the fact that it used to be the washermen's enclave in Chennai, where many of the city's dhobi ghats used to be located. Prior to the development of T.Nagar and...
— PeramburPeramburPerambur , is a locality in Northern part of the metropolitan city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu state, India.It is one of expensive area in chennai with all facilities of needs....
— ArakkonamArakkonamArakkonam is a mid-sized City in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with a population of about 101,626 as per the census 2011...
(— KatpadiKatpadiKatpadi is an area in Vellore, at the northern most part of Vellore city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The place gained importance due to its strategic location on the broad gauge line between Chennai-Bangalore and Villupuram-Tirupati. It is known to house VIT, one of India's premier...
— VelloreVelloreVellore It is considered one of the oldest cities in South India and lies on the banks of the Palar river on the site of Vellore Fort. The city lies between Chennai and Bangalore and the Temple towns of Thiruvannamalai and Tirupati...
)
The system uses broad gauge
Broad gauge
Broad-gauge railways use a track gauge greater than the standard gauge of .- List :For list see: List of broad gauges, by gauge and country- History :...
. The section from Washermanpet to Beach handles predominantly freight traffic from Chennai Port, and is not geared well to serve passengers.
MRTS System
- Chennai BeachChennai BeachChennai Beach , formerly known as Madras Beach, is a railway terminus of the Southern Railway Network in Chennai , India. This station handles mainly suburban trains in Chennai suburban railway and a few passenger trains...
— VelacheryVelachery-Geography:Velachery has mostly areas of hard rock, and a big marshland in the southern region of the area. It is said that this marshland was once a natural bird sanctuary. But nowadays, due to encroachment and rapid real estate development, the sanctuary has disappeared. Even today there is a big... - VelacheryVelachery-Geography:Velachery has mostly areas of hard rock, and a big marshland in the southern region of the area. It is said that this marshland was once a natural bird sanctuary. But nowadays, due to encroachment and rapid real estate development, the sanctuary has disappeared. Even today there is a big...
— St. Thomas MountSt. Thomas MountSt. Thomas Mount, or Parangimalai is a small hillock located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Located near the neighbourhood of Guindy and very close to Chennai International Airport, St. Thomas Mount is associated with St. Thomas, the apostle of Christ, who is believed to have been martyred here...
(under construction) - ThiruvanmiyurThiruvanmiyur-Transport:The area is easily accessible by Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses and has a sprawling bus terminus. Bus Routes connecting Thiruvanmiyur with other places in Chennai are: 1, 1A, 1C, 1D, 6D, 22A, 23C Extn., 29M,29C Extn., 41C, A47, 47A, 47D, M1, M49, M7, C51, T51, M23, M19, M70,...
— Mamallapuram (proposed)
The MRTS
Mass Rapid Transit System (Chennai)
The Chennai MRTS is an elevated line of the urban mass rapid transit system in Chennai , India. The line currently runs within the city from Chennai Beach to Velachery, covering a distance of 25 km with 21 stations...
system is planned to meet with the Tambaram branch of the existing suburban network at St. Thomas Mount. The plan envisages the MRTS line to proceed north from St. Thomas Mount, forming a ring around the city and ending at the northbound Central-Gummidipoondi line. However, extending MRTS beyond St. Thomas Mount is not very certain in light of the State Government deciding to develop the Chennai Metro
Chennai Metro
The Chennai Metro is a rapid transit system in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The Phase I of the project consisting of two corridors is under construction. The elevated section of the project is scheduled to be operational by 2013 and the entire project is scheduled to be completed by the financial...
rail system.
A new MRTS line has been proposed between Thiruvanmiyur and Mamallapuram.
Main Railway Terminal Stations
There are two main railway terminals, the Chennai CentralChennai Central
Chennai Central , erstwhile Madras Central, is the main railway terminus in the city of Chennai . It is the home of the Southern Railway and the most important rail hub in South India. The other major railway hub stations in the city are Chennai Egmore and Tambaram...
station, which is the city's largest railway station with trains to major cities and towns in India, and Chennai Egmore
Chennai Egmore
Chennai Egmore , formerly known as Madras Egmore, is a railway station in Egmore, Chennai , South India. The station acts as the arrival and departure point for trains connecting Chennai and southern, central Tamil Nadu and Kerala.This is one of the two main railway terminals in the city along with...
, with trains to cities and towns within Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
.
Metro Railway
A metro system is under construction to meet the future urban transport requirements. Totally 7 corridors have been proposed. In first phase, two corridors are under construction. Three corridors has been proposed in the second phase.- Corridor 1: Wimco Nagar — Chennai International AirportChennai International AirportChennai International Airport , formerly known as Madras International Airport is located in Tirusulam, south of Chennai , India...
(under construction) - Corridor 2: Chennai CentralChennai CentralChennai Central , erstwhile Madras Central, is the main railway terminus in the city of Chennai . It is the home of the Southern Railway and the most important rail hub in South India. The other major railway hub stations in the city are Chennai Egmore and Tambaram...
— St. Thomas MountSt. Thomas MountSt. Thomas Mount, or Parangimalai is a small hillock located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Located near the neighbourhood of Guindy and very close to Chennai International Airport, St. Thomas Mount is associated with St. Thomas, the apostle of Christ, who is believed to have been martyred here...
(under construction) - Corridor 3: MoolakadaiMoolakadai-Transportation:Metropolitan Transport Corporation takes care of the bus services in Moolakadai.Moolakadai is an important stage for MTC. Moolakadai is reasonably well connected to almost all the parts of North Chennai....
— ThiruvanmiyurThiruvanmiyur-Transport:The area is easily accessible by Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses and has a sprawling bus terminus. Bus Routes connecting Thiruvanmiyur with other places in Chennai are: 1, 1A, 1C, 1D, 6D, 22A, 23C Extn., 29M,29C Extn., 41C, A47, 47A, 47D, M1, M49, M7, C51, T51, M23, M19, M70,...
(planned) - Corridor 4: MoolakadaiMoolakadai-Transportation:Metropolitan Transport Corporation takes care of the bus services in Moolakadai.Moolakadai is an important stage for MTC. Moolakadai is reasonably well connected to almost all the parts of North Chennai....
— MogappairMogappairMogappair is a fast-developing residential neighborhood in north-western Chennai, India. This suburb located west of the Jawaharlal Nehru Road is part of the Ambattur Municipality...
(planned) - Corridor 5: MylaporeMylaporeMylapore is a cultural hub and neighborhood in the southern part of the city of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, India. Earlier, Mylapore used to be called Vedapuri....
— PoonamalleePoonamalleePoonamallee is a town in the Poonamallee taluk of the Thiruvallur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu...
(planned)
Smart Card
The Smart Card looks similar to a debit card, issued by the suburban railway at ticket counters for Rs.100 currently. This Rs.100 includes Rs.50 refundable deposit, and Rs.50 travel value. The travel value can be used to purchase platform and travel tickets for the Chennai suburban trains. The smart card is valid for 6 months from the date of purchase and the extra amounts of travel value can be recharged whenever needed. It is found that very few people are using this smart card.Smart Card is very beneficial in terms of avoiding standing in long queues saving precious time, and also keeping track of the money spending on the trains travel. The touch screen ticket vending kiosks are provided in many stations, for using the smart card services. The kiosk has a multilanguage interface, featuring Tamil, English and Hindi. The user has to place the smart card, select destination zone, destination station, number of adults, number of children, one way or return ticket and via stations. The ticket is printed for the user with in a second.
Airport
The Chennai International Airport
Chennai International Airport
Chennai International Airport , formerly known as Madras International Airport is located in Tirusulam, south of Chennai , India...
serves as the city's airport for both domestic and international flights. The airport consists of the Anna International terminal and the Kamaraj Domestic terminal, and handles domestic as well as international flights. It is the third busiest airport in India and handled a staggering 12 million passengers in 07-08 with international passenger traffic alone growing at 20 percent - higher than any other metro airport in the country . The city is connected to major hubs in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
, South East Asia, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
through over fifteen international carriers. The airport is also the second busiest cargo terminus in the country with its large integrated cargo terminal. The Airport lies around 25 km from the city centre and is accessible by road and rail transport services.
This airport is undergoing modernisation and expansion, including the construction of an additional terminal. Furthermore, a new greenfield airport is to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore in Sriperumbudur
Sriperumbudur
Sriperumbudur is an industrial city in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located in proximity to Chennai. It is famous for being the birth place of Sri Ramanuja, one of the most prominent Hindu Vaishnava saints as well as the town where former Indian Prime Minister...
to serve the city's burgeoning air traffic.
Other airports in the metropolitan area include the Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
base at Tambaram
Tambaram
Tambaram is a suburb of Chennai situated 27 km south of the city in Tamil Nadu, India. It is an urban node. Tambaram is a hub to all major destinations in south Tamil Nadu as it lies on the busy Chennai–Trichy national highway. The highway and the railway line from Chennai Egmore to...
and the Indian Naval
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
air base at Arakkonam
Arakkonam
Arakkonam is a mid-sized City in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with a population of about 101,626 as per the census 2011...
.
Ports
The city is served by two major ports namely Chennai PortChennai Port
Chennai Port , formerly known as Madras Port, is the second largest port of India, behind the Mumbai Port, and the largest port in the Bay of Bengal. Being the third oldest port among the 12 major ports of India, it is over 125 years old, although maritime trade started way back in 1639 on the sea...
— which is one of the largest artificial ports — and Ennore Port
Ennore Port
Ennore Port, located on the Coromandel Coast about 24 km north of Chennai Port, Chennai, it is the 12th major port of India, and the first port in India which is a public company. The Ennore Port is the only corporatised major port and is registered as a company...
. Chennai port is India's second busiest container hub, handling general industrial cargo, automobiles, etc. An additional container terminal is being constructed, as well. Chennai Port has 21 alongside berths in three distinct zones of the Chennai port namely the Ambedkar Dock (inner harbour to handle passenger, general cargo and containers), Jawahar Dock (to handle coal, fertiliser, other bulk and break bulk cargo) and Bharathi Dock (outer harbour accommodates ore and oil handling system and a modern container terminal).
The Ennore port currently handles cargo such as coal, ore and bulk and break bulk cargo. A new container terminal is also planned for the Ennore port. A smaller harbour at Royapuram
Royapuram
Royapuram , a locality of Chennai, South India, is the place where the first railway station of south India was constructed, and from where the laying down of the second railway line of the South Asia commenced in the 1850s. This railway line extended from Royapuram to Arcot, then capital of the...
is used by local fishing boats and trawlers.
See also
- Chennai Suburban RailwayChennai suburban railwayChennai suburban railway is a commuter rail system in the Indian city of Chennai operated by the Southern Railway. Chennai has a complex railway network. The system uses electrical multiple units operating on alternating current drawn from over-head cables through the catenary system...
- Chennai MRTS
- Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai)Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai)- External links :* * * *...
- Chennai International AirportChennai International AirportChennai International Airport , formerly known as Madras International Airport is located in Tirusulam, south of Chennai , India...
- Chennai PortChennai PortChennai Port , formerly known as Madras Port, is the second largest port of India, behind the Mumbai Port, and the largest port in the Bay of Bengal. Being the third oldest port among the 12 major ports of India, it is over 125 years old, although maritime trade started way back in 1639 on the sea...
- Ennore PortEnnore PortEnnore Port, located on the Coromandel Coast about 24 km north of Chennai Port, Chennai, it is the 12th major port of India, and the first port in India which is a public company. The Ennore Port is the only corporatised major port and is registered as a company...
- Transport in IndiaTransport in IndiaTransport in the Republic of India is an important part of the nation's economy. Since the economic liberalisation of the 1990s, development of infrastructure within the country has progressed at a rapid pace, and today there is a wide variety of modes of transport by land, water and air...