Parliament Question: Payment delay for Chennai metro rail Phase II

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1036 ANSWERED ON 09/02/2026 PAYMENT DELAY FOR CHENNAI METRO RAIL PHASE II 1036. SMT. RAJATHI : Will the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs be pleased to state: (a) whether the Central Government has received representations from the Government of Tamil Nadu regarding the release of ₹9,500 crore advanced by the State toward the Centre’s share for Chennai Metro Rail Phase II; (b) the reasons for the delay in releasing the full approved share for the fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26; and (c) the timeline for the completion of the entire Phase II project and the date by when the first operational stretch (Poonamallee to Porur) is expected to be inaugurated? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU) (a): No. Chennai Metro Phase-II project was initially approved by the Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN) as a State sector project. Subsequently, on request of GoTN, Government of India (GoI) approved the Chennai Metro Phase-II project in October 2024. Consequent upon sanction of Chennai Metro Phase-II project by Central Government, GoTN has made request to Central Government for book adjustment for already availed loan of Rs 9,500 crore taken for Chennai Metro Phase-II (as State sector project pending sanction by Central Government) from State Government to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), which is 50:50 Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of GoI and GoTN implementing Chennai Metro Phase-II project. (b): Govt. of India release funds for Chennai Metro Phase-II project based on the requirement posed by CMRL, which is dependent upon the progress of project. Central Government as per request of CMRL has already released funds to the tune of Rs. 10,354.15 Cr. for Chennai Metro Phase-II project since its sanction in October 2024. As on date, there is no pending demand for release of fund to CMRL with Central Government. (c): The physical and financial progress of Chennai Metro Phase-II project is 48.99% and 48.57% respectively. The operation of any section of metro project including that of between Poonamallee to Porur is dependent on completion of construction work including statutory clearance of Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety. *****