If you travel along the 100 Feet Road anywhere near Kolathur or Villivakkam, Retteri Junction is a crossing you’re bound to know well. Named after the Rettai Eri lake that sits visible right along this stretch, this junction has long been one of North Chennai’s busier crossings, and it’s about to become a lot more important with Chennai Metro’s Phase 2 construction actively underway here. Whether you’re commuting between Madhavaram and Villivakkam, heading toward Anna Nagar, or just trying to get your bearings in this part of the city, understanding how Retteri connects to everything around it genuinely helps you plan a smoother trip.
Quick Overview
| Aspect | Details |
| Location | Retteri, Kolathur, North Chennai |
| Main road connections | Redhills Road, 100 Feet Road |
| Nearest suburban rail | Kolatur Railway Station (approximately 0.68 km away) |
| Upcoming metro connectivity | Retteri Junction station, Chennai Metro Phase 2 (Green Line) |
| Nearby landmarks | Rettai Eri lake, Villivakkam, Perambur, Anna Nagar |
| Public transport options | MTC buses, suburban trains, upcoming metro, autos, cabs |
| Best for | Kolathur and Villivakkam residents, North Chennai commuters, students |
Why Retteri Junction Matters and What’s Changing Here
Retteri gets its name from Rettai Eri, a lake in the Kolathur area that’s actually visible from the 100 Feet Road as you pass through this stretch. The Redhills Road junction here is popularly known as Retteri Junction, and it’s long served as an important crossing point connecting Perambur, Villivakkam, Kolathur, and the broader North Chennai belt.
What makes this junction genuinely significant right now is Chennai Metro Rail Limited’s Phase 2 project, which is under active construction through this exact area as part of the Green Line corridor running from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur. Pillar construction work between Madhavaram and Retteri Junction has already been completed, with bridge works actively progressing. Once this phase becomes operational, Retteri will transform into a direct metro station, dramatically improving public transit accessibility for residents in this part of the city who currently rely mostly on buses and suburban trains.
How to Reach Retteri Flyover by Road
From Villivakkam: Head north along the 100 Feet Road, and you’ll reach Retteri Junction within a short drive, making this one of the more direct routes for residents in this well-established neighbourhood.
From Perambur: Traffic from Perambur, a significant Chennai suburban area with its own railway station, reaches Retteri Junction from the south via the Perambur-Redhills Road direction.
From Kolathur: Local roads connect directly into the junction, given how closely Retteri and Kolathur are linked geographically and administratively.
From Anna Nagar: Continuing along connecting roads brings commuters from this major Chennai neighbourhood toward Retteri, particularly useful for those heading further north toward Madhavaram.
Given the ongoing metro construction activity in this belt, it’s worth checking for any temporary diversions or lane closures before travelling through here, since active construction zones can occasionally affect regular traffic flow.
Rail and Upcoming Metro Connectivity Near Retteri
Kolatur Railway Station is just about 0.68 km from Retteri Flyover, making suburban rail one of the most practical transit options available right now. This station connects to Chennai Beach, Egmore, and Central, as well as the longer Beach-Tambaram corridor, with EMU services running from as early as 3:54 AM until 12:37 AM, covering the full daily operational window.
Looking ahead, the real game-changer for this area is the upcoming Retteri Junction metro station on Chennai Metro’s Green Line (Phase 2), which will connect this locality directly into the city’s rapidly expanding metro network once construction is complete. Until then, combining a short walk or auto ride to Kolatur station with the suburban rail network remains the most efficient way to bypass road traffic in this belt.
Nearby Landmarks Worth Knowing
Retteri sits in a genuinely well-connected pocket of North Chennai, with several notable areas and reference points nearby.
- Rettai Eri (Retteri Lake) — The lake that gives this junction its name, visible right along the 100 Feet Road and a distinctive local landmark.
- Villivakkam — A well-established residential and commercial locality close by, connected directly to Retteri through the 100 Feet Road.
- Perambur — An important suburban area to the south, home to its own railway station and a fair share of commercial activity.
- Kolathur — The broader locality that Retteri falls under, home to a mix of residential colonies and small businesses.
- Anna Nagar — A major Chennai neighbourhood connected to Retteri through the road network, useful as a directional reference for anyone navigating this part of the city.
Bus Stops and Local Transport Options
MTC (Metropolitan Transport Corporation) buses serve Retteri extensively, with over 20 routes passing through this junction, including 113, 121CT, 121M, 142, 170C, 242, and several others. Well-known stops like Retteri Signal and Retteri itself are just a minute or two’s walk from the main junction, making this a genuinely convenient boarding point regardless of which direction you’re headed. This comprehensive bus network connects Retteri to Koyambedu, Perambur, Villivakkam, Kolathur, and several other Chennai zones.
For last-mile connectivity, autos are readily available around the main bus stops, and app-based cabs operate throughout the day in this area, given the steady residential and commuter activity in the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Best Time to Travel Through Retteri
Given the mix of daily commuter traffic and ongoing metro construction activity, timing genuinely affects your travel experience at this junction right now. Weekday mornings between 8:30 and 10:30 AM and evenings from 6 to 8:30 PM tend to see the heaviest congestion, driven by regular office and school traffic combined with any construction-related lane restrictions. If your schedule allows some flexibility, shifting your travel outside these windows can save you a genuinely noticeable amount of time, and checking for construction updates before setting out is a smart habit while Phase 2 work continues in this belt.
FAQs
Q1. When will the Retteri Junction metro station become operational?
It’s part of Chennai Metro’s Phase 2 project, currently under active construction with pillar work completed between Madhavaram and Retteri Junction and bridge works progressing; checking Chennai Metro Rail Limited’s official updates is the best way to track the latest timeline for this specific station.
Q2. What’s the nearest suburban rail option near Retteri Flyover right now?
Kolatur Railway Station is just about 0.68 km away, offering a genuinely practical alternative to road travel while the metro construction is still underway.
Q3. Are MTC buses a reliable way to commute through Retteri daily?
Yes, with over 20 bus routes serving this junction and stops just a minute or two away from the main crossing, MTC buses offer a comprehensive and practical option for daily commuters heading toward Koyambedu, Perambur, Villivakkam, and other parts of Chennai.
Q4. Should I expect delays near Retteri due to the ongoing metro construction?
It’s possible, since active construction zones can occasionally affect lane availability and traffic flow, so checking for any temporary diversions before travelling through this stretch during Phase 2 work is a sensible precaution.
