Editing Chennai (section)

== Transport ==
{{Main|Transport in Chennai}}

=== Air ===
[[File:International_Terminal_Airside_Chennai_Airport_Aug22_D72_24874.jpg|thumb|[[Chennai International Airport]] is one of the busiest in India]]

The aviation history of Chennai began in 1910, when [[Giacomo D'Angelis]] built the first powered flight in Asia and tested it in [[The Island, Chennai|Island Grounds]].<ref>{{cite report|url=https://static.mygov.in/indiancc/2021/05/mygov-10000000001960522275.pdf|title=History of Indian Air Force|publisher=[[Government of India]]|page=2|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=8 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208172949/https://static.mygov.in/indiancc/2021/05/mygov-10000000001960522275.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1915, [[Tata Sons|Tata Air Mail]] started an airmail service between Karachi and Madras marking the beginning of civil aviation in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=69345|title=100 years of civil aviation|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226224125/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=69345|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 1930, a discussion initiated by pilot G. Vlasto led to the founding of [[Madras Flying Club]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Aviation|year=1952|first=R.L.|last=Saraogi|page=192}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Janardanan|first=Arun|title=Madras Flying Club: High on quality|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|location=Chennai|date=14 June 2011|language=en|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/madras-flying-club-high-on-quality/articleshow/8842647.cms|access-date=25 December 2022|archive-date=1 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901172935/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/madras-flying-club-high-on-quality/articleshow/8842647.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 October 1932, [[J. R. D. Tata]] flew a [[De Havilland Puss Moth|Puss Moth]] aircraft carrying air mail from Karachi to [[Bombay]]'s [[Juhu aerodrome|Juhu Airstrip]] and the flight was continued to Madras piloted by aviator [[Nevill Vintcent]] marking the first scheduled commercial flight.<ref>{{cite book|language=en|title=Britain's Imperial Air Routes, 1918 to 1939|last=Higham|first=Robin|page=168|publisher=Shoe String Press|year=1961|isbn=978-0-2080-0171-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=De Havilland Gazette|year=1953|page=103|publisher=De Havilland Aircraft Company}}</ref> The city is served by [[Chennai International Airport]] located in [[Tirusulam]], around {{convert|20|km}} southwest of the city centre.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/from-atop-chennais-tirusulam-hill-you-can-watch-airplanes-fly-by/article29877472.ece|title=From atop this hill in Chennai, you can watch airplanes fly by|date=4 November 2015|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=25 December 2022|archive-date=31 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331132903/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/from-atop-chennais-tirusulam-hill-you-can-watch-airplanes-fly-by/article29877472.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the [[List of busiest airports in India|fourth-busiest]] airport in India in terms of passenger traffic and cargo handled.<ref>{{cite report|title=Airports by Passenger Traffic, 2022-23|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/rev_Mar2k23Annex3.pdf|access-date=24 April 2023|publisher=[[Airports Authority of India]]}}</ref> While the existing airport is undergoing expansion with an addition of {{cvt|1069.99|acres|2}}, a new [[Chennai greenfield airport, Parandur|greenfield airport]] has been proposed to handle additional traffic.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chennai's aero dreams take wing|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennais-aero-dreams-take-wing/articleshow/12974999.cms|date=3 May 2012|first1=Arun|last1=Janardhanan|first2=V|last2=Ayyappan|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|location=Chennai|access-date=25 November 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928021647/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennais-aero-dreams-take-wing/articleshow/12974999.cms|archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref>

The region comes under the purview of the [[Southern Air Command, Indian Air Force|Southern Air Command]] of the [[Indian Air Force]]. The Air Force operates an air base at [[Tambaram Air Force Station|Tambaram]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian Air Force Commands|url=https://indianairforce.nic.in/zonal-maps/|publisher=[[Indian Air Force]]|access-date=29 June 2010|language=en}}</ref> The [[Indian Navy]] operates airbases at [[INS Rajali|Arakkonam]] and Chennai.<ref>{{cite web|title=Organisation of Southern Naval Command|url=https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/organisation-southern-naval-command-kochi|publisher=[[Indian Navy]]|access-date=26 August 2023|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ENC Authorities & Units|url=https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/enc-authorities-units|publisher=[[Indian Navy]]|access-date=26 October 2015|language=en}}</ref>

=== Rail ===
[[File:Southern Railway HQ.jpg|thumb|[[Southern Railway zone]] is headquartered in Chennai]]

The history of railway in Chennai began in 1832, when the first railway line in India was proposed between [[Chinnamalai|Little Mount]] and [[Chintadripet]] in the city which became operational in 1837.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/apr/16/chennai-the-track-record-1801999.html|title=Chennai: The track record|date=16 April 2018|newspaper=[[New Indian Express]]|access-date=9 August 2023}}</ref> The [[Madras Railway]] was established later in 1845 and the construction on the first main line between Madras and [[Arcot]] started in 1853, which became operational in 1856.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/on-the-forgotten-track/articleshow/99129882.cms?from=mdr|title=On Forgotten Road|date=31 March 2013|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|access-date=9 August 2023}}</ref> In 1944, all the railway companies operating in [[British India]] were taken over by the Government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/financecode/ADMIN_FINANCE/AdminFinanceCh1_Data.htm|title=Evolution of Indian Railways-Historical Background|publisher=[[Ministry of Railways (India)|Ministry of Railways]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In December 1950, the Central Advisory Committee for Railways approved the plan for Indian Railways into six zonal systems and the Southern Railway zone was created on 14 April 1951 by merging three state railways, namely, the [[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway]], the [[South Indian Railway Company]], and the [[Mysore State Railway]] with Chennai as the [[Southern Railway headquarters, Chennai|headquarters]].<ref name="SR">{{cite web|url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1|title=Southern Railways, about us|publisher=[[Southern Railway zone]]|access-date=12 August 2023}}</ref> The city has four major railway terminals at [[Chennai Central railway station|Chennai Central]], [[Chennai Egmore railway station|Egmore]], [[Chennai Beach railway station|Beach]] and [[Tambaram railway station|Tambaram]].<ref>{{cite report|type=pdf|url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris//uploads/files/1659695525713-SR.pdf|title=Southern Railway stations|publisher=Indian Railways|access-date=12 August 2023}}</ref> Chennai Central, city's largest station provides access to other major stations nationally and is amongst the busiest stations in the country.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Central-station-to-shut-down-on-December-13/articleshow/5290066.cms|title=Central station to shut down on December 13|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|access-date=28 December 2012|date=2 December 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928014443/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Central-station-to-shut-down-on-December-13/articleshow/5290066.cms|archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref>

;Suburban and MRTS
[[File:Velachery_Railway_station_June_2010.jpg|thumb|[[Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System|Chennai MRTS]] was the first MRTS system in India]]
{{Main|Chennai Suburban Railway}}
{{Main|Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System}}

Chennai has a well-established suburban railway network operated by Southern railway, which was established in 1928.<ref name="CSR">{{cite report|title=Brief History of the Division|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|url=http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1325745996774-about.pdf|access-date=26 October 2012}}</ref> The [[Mass Rapid Transit System (Chennai)|Mass Rapid Transit System]] (MRTS) is an elevated urban mass transit system established in 1995 operating on a single line from [[Chennai Beach railway station|Chennai Beach]] to [[Velachery railway station|Velachery]].<ref name="CSR"/>
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left;" style="font-size: 100%"
|-
!System
!Lines
!Stations
!Length
!Opened
|-
| [[Chennai Suburban Railway|Chennai Suburban]]<ref>{{cite report|url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris//uploads/files/1623903361519-CHENNAI%20DIVISION%20-%20CATEGORY-2021.pdf|title=List of Stations, Chennai|lang=en|publisher=Southern Railway|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref> 
| 3
| [[Railway stations in Chennai|53]]
| {{cvt|212|km|mi|abbr=on|adj=on}}
| 1928
|-
| [[Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System|Chennai MRTS]]<ref name="MRTS">{{cite web|url=https://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/mrts_phase1.html|title=About MRTS|publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority|access-date=31 August 2023|language=en}}</ref>
| 1
| [[Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System|17]]
| {{cvt|19.715|km|mi|abbr=on|adj=on}}
| 1995
|}

;Metro
[[File:Alstom Metropolis train-set at Guindy Metro station in Chennai.jpg|thumb|[[Chennai Metro]] is the only metro system operational in the state]]
{{Main|Chennai Metro}}

[[Chennai Metro]] is a [[rapid transit]] rail system in Chennai that was opened in 2015. As of 2023, the metro system consists of two operational lines operating across {{cvt|54.1|km|mi|abbr=on|adj=on}} with [[List of Chennai Metro stations|41]] stations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wcag.chennaimetrorail.org/project-status/|title=Project status of Chennai Metro|date=19 November 2015 |publisher=[[Chennai Metro Rail Limited]]|access-date=31 August 2023}}</ref> The Chennai metro system is being expanded with a proposed addition of three more lines and an extension of {{cvt|116.1|km}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=Metro's second phase to go up to Poonamallee|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=20 July 2017|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/metros-second-phase-to-go-up-to-poonamallee/article19310471.ece|access-date=1 October 2017}}</ref>

{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 100%"
|-
!Line
!colspan="2"|Terminal
!Opened
!Length<br />(km)
!Stations
|-
| style="background:#{{rail color|Chennai Metro|Blue}}; text-align: center;| [[Blue Line (Chennai Metro)|<span style="color:white;">Blue Line</span>]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Wimco Nagar Depot metro station|Wimco Nagar]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Chennai International Airport metro station|Chennai Airport]]
| style="text-align:center;"|21 September 2016
| style="text-align:center;"|32.65
| style="text-align:center;"|26
|-
| style="background:#{{rail color|Chennai Metro|Green}}; text-align: center;| [[Green Line (Chennai Metro)|<span style="color:white;">Green Line</span>]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central metro station|Chennai Central]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[St. Thomas Mount (Chennai Suburban Railway)|St. Thomas Mount]]
| style="text-align:center;"|29 June 2015
| style="text-align:center;"|22
| style="text-align:center;"|17
|-
!Total
! colspan="3"|
!54.65
!41
|}

=== Road ===
[[File:Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus.jpg|thumb|[[Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus|CMBT]], the major inter-city bus terminus]]

Chennai has an extensive road network covering about {{cvt|1780|km}} as of 2023.<ref name="Policy"/><ref>{{cite report|title=Review of Chennai's Second Master Plan: Through the lens of Sustainable Transport|url=https://www.cag.org.in/blogs/review-chennais-second-master-plan-through-lens-sustainable-transport|publisher=Citizen, consumer and civic action group|access-date=15 July 2023}}</ref> Chennai is one of the termini of the [[Golden Quadrilateral]] system of [[National Highway (India)|National Highways]].<ref>{{cite report|url=https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/48.pdf|title=Annual Report 2003-04|work=[[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]], [[Government of India]]|page=10|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref> As a part of the network, the city is connected to [[Mumbai]] and [[Kolkata]] via [[National Highway 48 (India)|NH&nbsp;48]] and [[National Highway 16 (India)|NH&nbsp;16]] respectively.<ref name="NH">{{cite report|url=http://dorth.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/9-6774713323.pdf|title=Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways|work=[[Department of Road Transport and Highways]]|date=28 April 2010|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816023220/http://dorth.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/9-6774713323.pdf |archive-date=16 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition, [[National Highway 32 (India)|NH&nbsp;32]], and [[National Highway 716 (India)|NH&nbsp;716]] originate from the city.<ref name="NH"/> The road network also consists of [[State Highway (India)|state highways]] which serve as arterial roads and two peripheral roads ([[Inner Ring Road, Chennai|inner]] and [[Outer Ring Road, Chennai|outer ring road]]s).<ref>{{cite web|title=GIS database for Chennai city roads and strategies for improvement|date=17 September 2009 |url=https://www.geospatialworld.net/article/gis-datatbase-for-chennai-city-roads-and-strategies-for-improvement/|publisher=Geospatial World|access-date=28 December 2022}}</ref> There are [[grade separator]]s and [[Flyovers in Chennai|flyovers]] at major intersections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chennaicorporation.gov.in/gcc/department/bridges/|title=Bridges|work=[[Greater Chennai Corporation]]|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chennai's Game-changing Infra Upgrade|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/chennai/chennais-game-changing-infra-upgrade-pallavaram-flyover-to-be-linked-to-tambaram-bypass-article-99186725|date=2 April 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=[[Times Now]]}}</ref> There are two expressways under construction: [[Chennai Port–Maduravoyal Expressway]] and [[Bangalore–Chennai Expressway]].<ref>{{cite news|title=PM's adviser to meet CM for talks on pending projects|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 November 2012|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/pms-adviser-to-meet-cm-for-talks-on-pending-projects/article4071593.ece|access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/feb/02/chennai-bangalore-expressway-work-to-start-in-six-months-nirmala-sitharaman-2097828.html|title = Chennai-Bangalore Expressway work to start in six months: Nirmala Sitharaman|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=2 February 2020|access-date=16 March 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Port of Chennai, India - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Chennai port]], amongst the busiest in South India]]

{{As of|2021}}, there are over six million registered vehicles in the city.<ref>{{cite news|title=Personal vehicles cross 70L mark in Greater Hyderabad|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/personal-vehicles-cross-70l-mark-in-greater-hyderabad/articleshow/104809589.cms|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|date=30 October 2023|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> [[public transport|Public bus transport]] is handled by the [[Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai)|Metropolitan Transport Corporation]] of [[Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation]], which is run by the Government of Tamil Nadu. It was established in 1947 when private buses operating in [[Madras presidency]] were nationalized by the government and runs about 3233 buses {{as of|2023}}.<ref name="TNSTC">{{cite report|url=https://www.tnstc.in/innerHtmls/pdf/Tamil%20Nadu%20STUs-pages.pdf|title=Tamil Nadu STUs|publisher=[[Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation]]|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> [[State Express Transport Corporation (Tamil Nadu)|State Express Transport Corporation Limited]] (SETC), established in 1980, runs long-distance express services exceeding 250&nbsp;km and above and links the city with other important cities and adjoining states of [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]] and the Union Territory of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]. SETC operates various classes of services such as semi-deluxe, ultra-deluxe and air-conditioned with advance booking and reservation on all of its routes.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.tnstc.in/innerHtmls/pdf/History-of-SETC.pdf|title=History of SETC|publisher=[[Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation]]|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> [[Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus]] is one of the largest bus stations in Asia and caters to outstation buses.<ref>{{cite news|title=Clogged way to filthy Koyambedu bus terminus|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/clogged-way-to-filthy-koyambedu-bus-terminus/articleshow/8497045.cms|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=22 May 2011|access-date=28 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928023321/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Clogged-way-to-filthy-Koyambedu-bus-terminus/articleshow/8497045.cms|archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> The other means of road transport in the city include vans, [[auto rickshaw]]s, on-call metered taxis and tourist taxis.<ref>{{cite news|title=Airport taxis, a law unto themselves|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/airport-taxis-a-law-unto-themselves/article3871479.ece|date=8 September 2012|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai|access-date=28 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804024917/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/airport-taxis-a-law-unto-themselves/article3871479.ece|archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref>

=== Water ===
Chennai has two major ports [[Chennai Port|Chennai]] and [[Kamarajar Port Limited|Ennore]] which are managed by the [[Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (India)|Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]] of the Government of India.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://dwiep.ncscm.res.in/images/port.pdf|title=Ports of India|access-date=1 November 2023|publisher=[[Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (India)|Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]], [[Government of India]]}}</ref> There are three minor ports, which are managed by the [[Department of Highways and Minor Ports (Tamil Nadu)|department of highways and minor ports]] of Government of Tamil Nadu.<ref name="Policy">{{cite report|title=Highway policy|url=https://www.tnhighways.tn.gov.in/pdf/hw_e_pn_2023_24.pdf|publisher=[[Department of Highways and Minor Ports (Tamil Nadu)|Highways Department]], [[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=15 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jayalalithaa inaugurates Kattupalli port|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=31 December 2013|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/jayalalithaa-inaugurates-kattupalli-port/article4363516.ece|access-date=31 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214725/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/jayalalithaa-inaugurates-kattupalli-port/article4363516.ece|archive-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> [[Royapuram fishing harbour]] is used by fishing boats.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kasimedu Harbour to be spuruced up|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=6 October 2022|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/kasimedu-fishing-harbour-likely-to-be-spruced-at-100-cr/articleshow/89374945.cms|access-date=18 Jan 2023}}</ref> [[Indian Navy]] has a major base at Chennai.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in/en/about-us/basic-organization.html|title=Basic Organization|publisher=[[Indian Navy]]|access-date=1 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/organisation-southern-naval-command-kochi|title=Southern naval command|publisher=[[Indian Navy]]|access-date=1 January 2016}}</ref>