Tamil Nadu has recommended three Chennai Metro extensions, now under active consideration by the Union government: airport to Kilambakkam (₹9,335 crore), Koyambedu to Pattabiram via Avadi (₹9,744 crore), and Poonamallee to Sunguvarchathiram via Sriperumbudur (₹8,779 crore). Their detailed project reports were sent to the Centre last year and recently reviewed by the Network Planning Group; approvals are also required from NITI Aayog, the Public Investment Board and the Union Cabinet.

The 118.9-km Phase II project has an estimated completion cost of ₹63,246 crore. Its first 14.64-km stretch, from Poonamallee Bypass to Porur Junction and connecting Vadapalani station, is scheduled to open shortly.

Tamil Nadu is also pursuing Metro connectivity from Hosur in Krishnagiri district to Bommasandra in Karnataka with the Centre and Karnataka government.

Chennai's rental market is shifting to suburbs due to Metro expansion, growing IT employment hubs, and upgraded transport infrastructure. Average rental growth across Chennai was 8% year-on-year.

Localities with highest rent appreciation:

• Iyyappanthangal: 21.7%
• Koyambedu: 20.3%
• West Tambaram: 19.1%
• Medavakkam: 18.5%
• Thoraipakkam: 18%
• Ramapuram: 15.3%

Rent drivers: Chennai Metro expansion along corridors including Iyyappanthangal, Ramapuram, and Koyambedu; IT and Global Capability Centre expansion on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) corridor (Thoraipakkam, Perungudi, Sholinganallur); Kilambakkam Bus Terminus opening transforming GST Road corridor (Pallavaram, Perungalathur, Tambaram belt).

Affordability: Average monthly rent in Tambaram is Rs 15,073, approximately 30% lower than Porur (Rs 19,753). Young professionals and corporate employees migrating to suburbs for larger homes at lower rents.

Tenant preferences: 59% prefer apartments in gated communities or complexes (up from 42% in 2020). Demand for fully furnished homes increased 49% since 2023; fully furnished homes attract 1.4 times more tenant demand than semi-furnished properties. Demand for unfurnished properties declining.

Property experts expect strong rental appreciation ahead in KK Nagar, Tambaram, Maduravoyal, Adyar, and Valasaravakkam.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) expects to complete the two-tier, 21-km Chennai Port–Maduravoyal elevated corridor by November 2027. Pre-cast single-cell box girders are being produced at a 64-acre casting yard near Chembarambakkam. The State government has promised to help increase daily working hours from 11 to 16. Work was halted during two consecutive monsoons because river bunds had to be removed; NHAI hopes to build pile caps before the coming monsoon. Girder launching on the first level is expected to begin in 15 days.

Of the corridor, 15 km will run along the Cooum riverbed. The lower tier, for local traffic, will have 13 ramps and end in Koyambedu; the upper deck, for heavy vehicles, will have entry and exit ramps in Maduravoyal. Expected daily use after completion is 20,000 local vehicles and 5,500 heavy vehicles. Local-vehicle use is projected to reach 52,080 a day by 2047.

The state highways department has started work on a high-level bridge across the Cooum River, connecting Padi Kuppam with Poonamallee High Road at Koyambedu. The bridge is scheduled to go live in July and will provide seamless access between the areas.

The 20.9km Port–Maduravoyal Expressway being built by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will run as a double-decker corridor from Koyambedu through the city over Cooum river. The double-decker NHAI stretch to start after Padi Kuppam. 25 pillars have been placed on Cooum.