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16 Mar 2026
Chennai has introduced a premium low-floor electric air-conditioned bus service operated by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), marking a new category of reserved-seat urban public transport in the city. The service, launched in the past week by Tamil Nadu's Transport and Electricity Minister S. S. Sivasankar, begins operations with electric buses running on two major routes linking key transport nodes and the IT corridor. Initial services include Route P91 connecting Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus, Kilambakkam, with Thiruvanmiyur, and Route P570S between Koyambedu's Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus and Siruseri IT Park. The premium buses require advance seat reservations through a mobile application and do not permit standing passengers. Authorities stated that the initiative aims to offer a more comfortable and predictable commuting option while encouraging a shift from private vehicles to cleaner public transport modes.Read more
16 Mar 2026
Southern Railway has started the process of leasing out a newly built multi-level parking facility at Chennai Egmore railway station through an online auction. The parking area is located inside a Multi-Functional Complex on the Gandhi-Irwin Road side of the station and includes the second, third and fourth floors of the structure. The selected licensee will manage vehicle movement, parking operations, maintenance and manpower at the site. Railways have also allowed the possibility of introducing services such as EV charging stations and pay-and-use facilities with prior approval. The move is part of ongoing efforts to improve passenger amenities and traffic management at the busy station.Read more
13 Mar 2026
Ashok Leyland has announced plans to invest between INR 400 crore and INR 500 crore to establish a new battery pack manufacturing facility at Pillaipakkam near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The greenfield facility will support the company's electric mobility strategy and strengthen localisation of battery pack production in India. The project forms part of investment commitments made by the Hinduja Group under a memorandum of understanding signed with the Tamil Nadu government in September 2025. The plant is expected to enhance domestic EV manufacturing capability and contribute to the development of the country's electric vehicle ecosystem.Read more
13 Mar 2026
US-based healthcare solutions provider TruBridge has established a global capability centre (GCC) in Chennai to expand its technology-enabled revenue cycle management (RCM) operations and strengthen its global delivery network. The centre has been set up in partnership with consulting firm Zinnov and will initially focus on services including accounts receivable management, medical coding, consulting and related RCM support for hospitals. The facility begins operations with an initial workforce of 57 professionals and is expected to scale significantly over the next 12-18 months as capabilities expand. TruBridge, which supports over 1,500 healthcare clients and employs around 3,500 people globally, said the India expansion is aimed at strengthening operational capacity, advancing healthcare technology innovation and improving financial outcomes for healthcare providers. The centre will operate as part of the company's global service network while adhering to established data privacy and compliance standards.Read more
13 Mar 2026
The launch of two major urban rail projects in Chennai the MRTS extension from Velachery to St Thomas Mount and the first operational stretch of Chennai Metro Phase-2 has been delayed, postponing services that were expected to begin in early March. The 4.5 km MRTS extension, built at a cost of about INR 734 crore, is awaiting final safety certification from the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) before passenger operations can commence. At the same time, the initial 14.6 km section of Metro Phase-2 between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani has received conditional clearance but cannot open until remaining construction works, including deck slab installations on a double-decker viaduct, are completed. The two projects are expected to strengthen multimodal connectivity in the city by linking suburban rail, MRTS and metro networks once operational.Read more
12 Mar 2026
Ashok Leyland, the Hinduja Group's commercial vehicle manufacturer, has announced plans to invest between INR 400 crore and INR 500 crore to establish a greenfield electric vehicle battery pack manufacturing facility at Pillaipakkam near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The company held the groundbreaking ceremony for the facility earlier this week as part of the Hinduja Group's broader investment commitments under a memorandum of understanding signed with the Tamil Nadu government in September 2025. The plant is intended to support localisation of EV battery pack production and strengthen the domestic electric mobility supply chain. Ashok Leyland stated that the project aligns with Tamil Nadu's Electric Vehicle Policy 2023 and national initiatives such as the National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage, which aim to expand India's EV manufacturing ecosystem and support the country's long-term net-zero emissions target for 2070.Read more
11 Mar 2026
WeWork India Management Ltd has entered into a lease agreement to add 141,392 square feet of workspace capacity in Chennai, further strengthening its presence in the city's growing flexible office market. The move forms part of the company's broader expansion strategy across major Indian commercial hubs. WeWork India currently operates across eight cities with a portfolio of millions of square feet and serves enterprises, startups, and multinational firms seeking flexible workspace solutions. Chennai has emerged as an important market for the company in recent years as technology and global firms increasingly adopt managed and hybrid office models.Read more
10 Mar 2026
South Indian actress Nayanthara and filmmaker husband Vignesh Shivan purchased a luxurious duplex apartment in Chennai's Poes Garden for INR 31.5 crore. The 14,369 sq ft property in the Legacy project spans the fourth and fifth floors and includes 5,308 sq ft of undivided land and eight covered parking spaces. Nayanthara owns 90% of the apartment, with Vignesh Shivan holding 10%. The acquisition follows their marriage in 2022 and growing pan-India film presence. Poes Garden remains a preferred enclave for celebrities and high-net-worth individuals, sustaining high property values.Read more
08 Mar 2026
The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India (Credai) has approached the Madras High Court challenging a National Green Tribunal (NGT) direction that restricts construction within one kilometre of the Pallikaranai marsh in Chennai. The marsh is a notified Ramsar wetland. Credai has argued that the restriction was imposed without a scientific study, official notification or stakeholder consultation. The High Court has admitted the plea and sought responses from state authorities. The order has impacted thousands of acres and stalled fresh planning approvals in several urbanised areas.Read more
06 Mar 2026
Chennai Metro Rail Limited has outlined plans to develop approximately 73 lakh sq ft of land at 37 station precincts along its Phase II metro corridors as part of transit-oriented development (TOD) initiatives, officials said earlier this week. The move is aimed at unlocking non-fare revenue and catalysing mixed-use urban development by leveraging surplus land parcels around metro infrastructure. Proposed uses include commercial space, last-mile connectivity hubs, multi-level parking and public amenities. Land parcels earmarked span prime urban nodes such as Thousand Lights, Nandanam, Alandur and St Thomas Mount, with commercial development to be pursued via transparent bidding or joint ventures, subject to approvals. The TOD programme aligns with broader government efforts to integrate public transport and urban growth, boost ridership, and attract private investment into Chennai's rapidly expanding metro network.Read more
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28 Feb 2026
Southern Railway has introduced additional EMU shuttle services between Guduvanchery and St Thomas Mount to manage commuter inconvenience caused by revised suburban train operations linked to redevelopment work at Chennai Egmore station. The changes had reduced direct services on the busy Beach-Tambaram-Chengalpattu corridor, leading to crowding and longer travel time. Trial runs of the shuttle services were conducted successfully before rollout. Transport representatives have raised concerns over lack of consultation and suggested better coordination and more fast local services to reduce passenger inconvenience.Read more
26 Feb 2026
The new suburban railway station at Kilambakkam and the 275-metre elevated skywalk connecting it to the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) are expected to open in March. Authorities have completed most structural work and are now addressing minor corrections on a segment crossing GST Road. The final link to the railway's island platform is being coordinated with Indian Railways and CUMTA. Once operational, the integrated facility will provide seamless bus-rail connectivity, resolving access challenges faced by commuters since the bus terminus became functional.Read more
25 Feb 2026
The extension of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited's Phase II network between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani is approaching the point of commissioning, but the final timeline remains uncertain as key safety trials and funding issues are resolved. Officials have signalled that the stretch of approximately 14.6 kilometres, featuring 11 stations and connecting the new line with the existing Vadapalani interchange, could be brought into service soon after completing mandatory safety clearances and certification procedures. Recent interim budget remarks by the Tamil Nadu Finance Minister highlighted progress and planned extensions of the metro project, though he also noted delays in central funding commitments under the shared cost model for the corridor, which has increased state borrowing. While the Poonamallee Porur section has passed recent inspections, regulatory scrutiny of the Porur Vadapalani segment has identified items requiring rectification, potentially affecting the launch schedule. Pending the completion of these works and final approval from safety authorities, partial operations on the Phase II corridor may begin shortly, with further work continuing on remaining stations and broader project corridors.Read more
23 Feb 2026
As property transactions continue to rise across Tamil Nadu, Chennai-based proptech platform LandLens has positioned itself as a due diligence tool aimed at identifying land and property risks before purchase decisions are finalised. Developed by Verified.RealEstate, the platform integrates land records, zoning regulations, environmental indicators and infrastructure constraints into a single digital interface. Industry experts note that many real estate disputes arise not from lack of data but from fragmented information spread across departments, making holistic assessment difficult for buyers. Recent cases involving temple land claims, coastal regulation restrictions and environmental compliance issues have reinforced the need for early verification. LandLens seeks to address this gap by structuring public data into actionable insights, supporting buyers, investors and developers in making informed property decisions before financial commitments are made.Read more
23 Feb 2026
KNR Constructions Limited has secured a road infrastructure contract worth INR 2,163.07 crore for developing a four-lane elevated corridor on the East Coast Road in Chennai. The project, awarded under the Hybrid Annuity Mode, covers a key stretch between Thiruvanmiyur and Uthandi and aims to ease congestion on one of the city's busiest coastal routes. The work includes a defined construction period followed by an operation phase, while the final concession agreement remains subject to a court decision.Read more
21 Feb 2026
Workers at major Indian ports held a one-day strike to protest proposed changes affecting key maritime assets, including plans to list Kamarajar Port Limited and recent investment decisions by Chennai Port Authority. The strike, called by the Water Transport Workers Federation of India one of the five recognised unions at major ports took place across Kolkata, Haldia, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, Thoothukudi and Kamarajar ports. Workers expressed opposition to the potential initial public offering (IPO) of Kamarajar Port, arguing it could dilute public ownership and jeopardise employment conditions; they also criticised Chennai Port Authority's reported acquisition of a 5 per cent stake in Bharat Container Shipping Line. The action was framed as part of wider labour concerns over port policy shifts and asset monetisation.Read more
19 Feb 2026
Traffic movement at Chennai's busy Madhya Kailash junction is expected to improve following the inauguration of a new L-shaped flyover by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. The project, developed by the Highways and Minor Ports Department at a cost of INR 60.68 crore, aims to address persistent congestion where Sardar Patel Road meets Rajiv Gandhi Salai. The 652-metre, two-lane, one-way flyover is designed to streamline vehicle flow towards the OMR corridor and reduce delays during peak hours.Read more
15 Feb 2026
The Madras High Court has refused to hear a batch of petitions opposing the proposed construction of a high-rise residential complex near the ecologically sensitive Pallikaranai marshland in Chennai, which includes a designated Ramsar site, judges said in court this week. Petitioners, including an advocate representing the AIADMK legal wing and the NGO Arappor Iyakkam, had sought to quash environmental and building plan approvals granted to the private developer and to restrain construction within a one-kilometre radius of the marshland, citing alleged violations of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules. However, a division bench led by the Chief Justice observed that matters concerning wetland protection were already before the Supreme Court and declined to conduct a parallel hearing, advising the petitioners to approach the apex court for relief. As a result, the interim stay on construction that had been in place was vacated.Read more
11 Feb 2026
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has established a Centre of Excellence for Road Safety at IIT Madras to support safer road planning and implementation across the country. The initiative focuses on research-driven solutions, improved highway design, and the use of technology to reduce accidents. Alongside this, the ministry is rolling out advanced traffic management systems and stricter vehicle safety norms. Mandatory active safety features and advanced driver assistance systems will be introduced in phases from 2027 and 2028 to address high accident rates on national highways.Read more
06 Feb 2026
Chennai has initiated construction of a major multi-modal transport hub at the Broadway bus stand, with the foundation laid by Chief Minister M K Stalin in the past week. The INR 822.7 crore project includes a nine-storey bus terminal and a ten-storey commercial building, covering 26,240 sq m with 1.36 lakh sq m of built-up area. Designed to integrate buses with the High Court Metro station, MRTS, and suburban rail, it will feature 73 bus bays, retail and office spaces, modern amenities, and parking for 433 cars and over 1,100 two-wheelers.Read more
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