The move comes at a time when the government is awaiting approval for the project from the Centre.
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The State government has permitted the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to start acquiring land for the 15.46 km Airport-Kilambakkam project.
In an order dated September 3, the Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Department said that the CMRL could commence land acquisition, utility shifting, and other preparatory work for this project.
The move comes at a time when the government is awaiting approval for this project from the Centre. While the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already been sent to the Centre, the Comprehensive Mobility Plan will likely be sent soon.
The idea behind beginning such preparatory work and land acquisition is, as soon as the project approval comes from the Centre, the construction can start. Commuters have been eagerly waiting for the ₹9,335 crore Airport-Kilambakkam project as it links many areas, including Pallavaram, Chromepet, Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, Tambaram, Irumbuliyur, Perungalathur, Vandalur, Anna Zoological Park, and Kilambakkam.
Earlier, the CMRL had requested the State government to provide administrative sanction to start the preparatory work for this corridor.
The government has now allocated ₹1,964 crore towards land acquisition, shifting of utilities, and other related work. “The cost of ₹1,964 crore will be sanctioned as subordinate debt,” the order said.
Of the ₹1,964 crore, a substantial portion of ₹1,816 crore will be used towards land acquisition.A total of ₹112.50 crore will be utilised for carrying out utility shifting, roadwork, geotechnical investigation, tree cutting and replanting, barricading, topographic surveys, and traffic management.
‘Easy to complete’
CMRL sources further said that since the Airport-Kilambakkam corridor is an elevated one running along the GST Road, it would be fairly easy to build without much delay.
Published – September 04, 2025 12:55 am IST
