Chennai - Villupuram RRTS Corridor Proposed: Travel Time to Drop to 1 Hour
The final feasibility report for the proposed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) between Chennai and Villupuram has identified the Alandur–Villupuram alignment as the preferred corridor. The project, prepared by Balaji Railroad Systems, is estimated to cost around ₹75,000 crore.
The high-speed transit system is expected to reduce travel time between Chennai and Villupuram from nearly four hours to just one hour. The corridor is projected to handle around 2.18 lakh passengers daily by 2032, making it the most viable option among the routes studied.
The proposed route will begin at Alandur and pass through key locations including Chennai Airport, Tambaram, Kilambakkam bus terminus, Chengalpattu, Maduranthakam, and Tindivanam before reaching Villupuram. A 64.1-km spur linking Puducherry and Cuddalore is also planned, bringing the total network length to about 146 km.
Within Chennai city limits, the corridor will run underground from Alandur to Kilambakkam, and beyond that, it will be elevated or built along road corridors. The system is designed for a maximum speed of 160 kmph, with provisions for future upgrades up to 300 kmph.
Officials said the RRTS will improve regional connectivity, reduce highway congestion, support economic growth, and allow faster commuting between Chennai and nearby districts. The project will also enable freight movement at night, making it a multi-purpose economic corridor.
