Line 5 (Chennai Metro)

The Red Line or Line 5 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 Madhavaram Milk Colony to Sholinganallur. The 44.6 km long line will consist of 45 stations, out of which six will be underground and 39 will be at grade or elevated. A branch line of corridor five from Koyambedu to Avadi has been proposed with detailed project report preparation expected to be completed by January 2025.

Phase II
The construction of the first phase of Chennai Metro started in June 2009. Commercial operations started on the green line in June 2015. On 10 February 2019, the extension of blue line was opened, completing the first phase of the metro.

In July 2016, Government of Tamil Nadu announced that the second phase would have three lines totaling 104 km in length with 104 stations. Two corridors would extend from Madhavaram connecting with Siruseri and Sholinganallur respectively (lines 3 and 5) with the third corridor connecting Koyambedu with Lighthouse (line 4). The fifth line connecting Madhavaram Milk Colony and Sholinganallur will extend to 47 km of which 41.2 km would be elevated and 5.8 km underground. It will consist of 48 stations including six undergrounds stations. The stations for the second phase were designed to be smaller than the existing stations operational in the first phase.

On 20 November 2020, foundation stone for the second phase was laid and construction commenced. In November 2022, Alstom was awarded the contract to supply metro coaches for the phase II expansion. In May 2023, CMRL announced a revised plan for the second phase revising the station count on the fifth line to 45. As per the final plan, the fourth line will extend for 45.4 km.

The second phase is estimated to cost inr 632460000000 of which initially inr 47100000000 was loaned by JICA. On 14 February 2021, Prime Minister of India announced that the government has set aside inr 630000000000 for the construction of phase II and further extension. The line is expected to be completed by 2028.

Phase II extension
In 2022, the state government proposed a branch extension for the fifth line from Koyambedu to Avadi, covering an approximate 16.1 km. In early 2024, feasibility report was submitted by CMRL for the proposed expansion of the line, green lighting the same. Detailed project report is under preparation, which is expected to be completed by January 2025.

Stations
under construction