Velachery–St. Thomas Mount Flying Train Service to Launch by November: Long-Delayed Project Nears Completion
After years of delay due to legal and logistical hurdles, the much-anticipated Velachery–St. Thomas Mount flying train service is finally set to begin operations by November 2025, according to official sources. The project, aimed at easing traffic congestion in South Chennai, has now reached its final stages with civil works reportedly completed.
A Project Decades in the Making
The Chennai Beach–Velachery–St. Thomas Mount elevated suburban rail corridor, popularly known as the "flying train" project, was first proposed in 1985. The implementation was broken down into multiple phases:
Phase 1 (1997): A 9-km elevated track between Chennai Beach and Mylapore was completed at a cost of ₹266 crore.
Phase 2 (2007): A further 9-km stretch from Mylapore to Velachery was laid at ₹877.59 crore. This segment is currently operational.
Phase 3 (2008 onwards): The final 5-km stretch from Velachery to St. Thomas Mount began construction with a 4.5-km viaduct involving 167 supporting pillars.
However, the project faced a major roadblock due to land acquisition issues in Adambakkam and Thillai Ganga Nagar. A court case stalled progress for nearly a decade. With land disputes now resolved through legal channels, the remaining work was resumed and brought to completion recently.
Enhanced Connectivity for Southern Chennai
Once operational, the Velachery–St. Thomas Mount link will provide smoother access for passengers traveling from areas like Thiruvanmiyur, Mylapore, and Velachery to Tambaram and Kilambakkam via St. Thomas Mount. The route is expected to significantly decongest key road corridors and improve suburban rail connectivity.
Metro Link in the Pipeline
Looking further ahead, the Railway Board has approved a proposal to integrate the flying train corridor with the Chennai Metro Rail network. According to current plans, metro train services on the Chennai Beach–St. Thomas Mount route are expected to begin by end of 2028, further expanding the city’s multi-modal transport network.
This long-delayed infrastructure milestone promises to reshape commuting in southern Chennai, offering faster, more reliable alternatives for daily travelers.
