New Delhi [India], December 14 (ANI): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 240 million loan—the second tranche of the Chennai Metro Rail Investment Project—to support the expansion of the metro rail network and provide cleaner, safer, and more reliable urban transport across the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
This tranche is part of ADB’s USD 780 million multitranche financing facility for the project, approved in 2022, and follows the initial USD 350 million loan under the first tranche. The new financing will support key sections of metro lines 3, 4, and 5, covering 20 kilometers of elevated and underground corridors and 18 new stations with universal access features and disaster-resilient infrastructure to ensure passenger and service safety during extreme weather events.
ADB Country Director for India Mio Oka said the project “will deliver safer, faster, and more reliable daily travel in Chennai while advancing the city’s low-carbon development goals.” He added that ADB looks forward to continued collaboration to expand metro connectivity and enhance the capacity of Chennai’s metro and suburban rail systems to meet growing mobility needs.
Under tranche 2, ADB will fund civil and system works for metro line 3’s elevated section (Sholinganallur–SIPCOT-2), line 4’s underground section (Lighthouse–Kodambakkam), and key system components for line 5, including power, traction, and telecommunications. The tranche will also support upgrades to multimodal interchange areas for smoother transfers between metro, buses, bicycles, and other last-mile transport options.
The project will further enhance inclusive station features, improve travel safety for women and vulnerable users, and support measures to boost non-fare revenues for the long-term financial sustainability of the metro rail system. Construction under this tranche is targeted for completion by mid-2028.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Founded in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—50 from the region—and works with partners to build quality infrastructure, transform lives, and safeguard the environment.
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