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The Orange Line or Line 4 is one of the planned lines of Chennai Metro. It is part of the second phase of the project and the under construction line stretches from Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass. The line will consist of 27 stations, out of which nine will be underground and 18 will be at grade or elevated.
The construction of the first phase of Chennai Metro started in June 2009.[1] Commercial operations started on the green line in June 2015.[2][3][4] On 10 February 2019, the extension of blue line was opened, completing the first phase of the metro.[5]
In July 2016, Government of Tamil Nadu announced that the second phase would have three lines totaling 104 km (65 mi) in length with 104 stations.[6][7] Two corridors would extend from Madhavaram connecting with Siruseri and Sholinganallur respectively with the third corridor connecting Koyambedu with Lighthouse. In July 2017, the state government announced an extension in Phase II, involving an extension of line four from Lighthouse up to Poonamallee with an intersection with the Madhavaram–Sholinganallur line at Alwarthirunagar. The line will extend to 26.1 km (16.2 mi) with 16 km (9.9 mi) elevated and 10.1 km (6.3 mi) underground. It will consist of 30 stations including 12 undergrounds stations.[8][9] The stations for the second phase were designed to be smaller than the existing stations operational in the first phase.[10]
On 20 November 2020, foundation stone for the second phase was laid and construction commenced.[11] In November 2022, Alstom was awarded the contract to supply metro coaches for the phase II expansion.[12] In May 2023, CMRL announced a revised plan for the second phase revising the station count on the fourth line to 27.[13] As per the final plan, the fourth line will extend for 26.1 km (16.2 mi).[14]
| Line Name | Terminals | Length (km) | Stations | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Line | Poonamallee Bypass | Lighthouse | 26.1 | 27 | Under construction |
The second phase is estimated to cost ₹63,246 crore (US$7.4 billion) of which initially ₹4,710 crore (US$550 million) was loaned by JICA.[8][16][17] On 14 February 2021, Prime Minister of India announced that the government has set aside ₹63,000 crore (US$7.4 billion) for the construction of phase II and further extension.[18]
In 2022, the state government proposed an extension plan for the fourth line from Poonamalee to Parandur, covering an approximate 43.6 km (27.1 mi).[19] In early 2024, feasibility report was submitted by CMRL for the proposed expansion of the line, green lighting the same.[20][21]
| Line | Terminals | Length | Stations | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Line | Poonamallee | Parandur | 43.6 km (27.1 mi) | 19 | Planned |
| Orange Line | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S.No | Station Name[15] | Expected Opening[23] | Connections | Station Structure | ||
| English | Tamil | Station Type | Platform Level Type | |||
| 1 | Lighthouse | கலங்கரை விளக்கம் | December 2027 | Underground | Island | |
| 2 | Kutchery Road | கச்சேரி சாலை | December 2027 | Underground | Island | |
| 3 | Thirumayilai | திருமயிலை | December 2027 | Purple Line (Under Construction) |
Underground | Island |
| 4 | Alwarpet | ஆழ்வார்பேட்டை | December 2027 | Underground | Island | |
| 5 | Bharathidasan Road | பாரதிதாசன் சாலை | December 2027 | Underground | Island | |
| 6 | Boat Club | படகு குழாம் | December 2027 | Underground | Island | |
| 7 | Nandanam | நந்தனம் | December 2027 | Blue Line | Underground | Island |
| 8 | Panagal Park | பனகல் பூங்கா | December 2027 | Underground | Island | |
| 9 | Kodambakkam | கோடம்பாக்கம் | December 2027 | Underground | Island | |
| 10 | Power House | பவர் ஹவுஸ் | June 2026 | Elevated | TBC | |
| 11 | Vadapalani | வடபழனி | June 2026 | Green Line | Elevated | Side |
| 12 | Saligramam | சாலிகிராமம் | June 2026 | Elevated | Island | |
| 13 | Saligramam Ware House | சாலிகிராமம் கிடங்கு | June 2026 | Elevated | Island | |
| 14 | Alwarthiru Nagar | ஆழ்வார் திருநகர் | June 2026 | Red Line (Under Construction) | Elevated | Island |
| 15 | Valasaravakkam | வளசரவாக்கம் | June 2026 | Red Line (Under Construction) | Elevated | Island |
| 16 | Karambakkam | காரம்பாக்கம் | June 2026 | Red Line (Under Construction) | Elevated | Island |
| 17 | Alapakkam Junction | ஆலப்பாக்கம் சந்திப்பு | June 2026 | Red Line (Under Construction) | Elevated | Island |
| 18 | Porur | போரூர் சந்திப்பு | December 2025 | Elevated | Side | |
| 19 | Porur Bypass | போரூர் புறவழிச்சாலை | December 2025 | Elevated | Island | |
| 20 | Thelliyaragaram | தெள்ளியார் அகரம் | December 2025 | Elevated | Island | |
| 21 | Iyyapanthangal | ஐயப்பன்தாங்கல் | December 2025 | Elevated | Island | |
| 22 | Kattupakkam | காட்டுப்பாக்கம் | December 2025 | Elevated | Island | |
| 23 | Kumananchavadi | குமணன்சாவடி | December 2025 | Elevated | Island | |
| 24 | Karayanchavadi | கரையான்சாவடி | December 2025 | Elevated | Island | |
| 25 | Mullaithottam | முல்லைத்தோட்டம் | December 2025 | Elevated | Island | |
| 26 | Poonamallee | பூவிருந்தவல்லி | December 2025 | Elevated | Side | |
| 27 | Poonamallee Bypass | பூவிருந்தவல்லி புறவழிச்சாலை | December 2025 | Elevated | Side | |
§ under construction