There is some good news for the people of Chennai. The first underground line of Chennai Metro Rail from Chetpet to Koyambedu will open for the public on Sunday. 

Now, commuters can travel anywhere from Nehru Park to the airport or to Little Mount in the other direction, with a single ticket in around 60 minutes. 

This is the fourth underground metro line in India after Kolkata, Delhi and Bengaluru.

The metro line will cover a distance of eight kilometres from Nehru Park Station in Chetpet to Koyambedu, through tunnels and seven underground stations, reports The Times of India. 

Areas like Kilpauk, New Avadi Road, Shenoy Nagar, Aminjikarai, Anna Nagar and Thirumangalam will be connected by the metro rail.

The trains will be running along tunnels between Koyambedu and Shenoy Nagar, where only one tunnel will be operational as it would not be possible for trains to change tracks without a crossover.

Shenoy Nagar already has a crossover while another one is being built at Central metro station.

The other tunnel between Shenoy Nagar and Nehru Park will be opened along with Central metro station by 2017 end, reports TOI.

A metro rail official said that the metro rail will be operational from May 14 and they have carried out inspections, trial runs and also finished final works at all the stations. 

Last month, the commissioner of metro rail safety had given authorisation for commercial operations after conducting a three-day inspection.  

Tamil Nadu minister for industries MC Sampath visited and inspected the underground metro line on Tuesday between Thirumangalam and Nehru Park stations.