Nearly seven months after receiving safety clearance, the first ready stretch of Chennai Metro’s Phase-2 network is still awaiting an inauguration date. The 14.64km Poonamallee Bypass-Vadapalani stretch, with 11 elevated stations, remains closed to passengers despite completing the required safety process.
Officials had initially expected the event toward the end of September, but there was no update by September 21. Officials now believe the inauguration could take place in the first week of October, though there is no confirmed date yet.
An Iyyappanthangal resident working in Vadapalani said many commuters are waiting to switch from bikes to Metro trains for their daily travel. CMRL is awaiting confirmation on the inauguration schedule. For commuters in areas along the stretch, the prolonged wait means a line that has completed the safety process remains unused.
Earlier plan to link Chennai and Indore did not happen
Officials had earlier discussed inaugurating the Chennai stretch along with Indore Metro’s 11km Priority Corridor-2 through video conferencing. Indore’s corridor was instead inaugurated on September 5, expanding its operational Metro network to about 17km. The 14.64km stretch is part of Chennai Metro’s Phase-2 project, which comprises three corridors covering a total of 118.9km. Corridor 4, where this section is located, is planned as a 26.1km route between Lighthouse and Poonamallee Bypass.
That plan did not materialise.
The Poonamallee Bypass-Vadapalani stretch is the first section of Phase-2 to become ready for passenger operations. It forms part of Corridor 4, which will eventually connect Lighthouse and Poonamallee Bypass over 26.1km. The ready section has 11 elevated stations.
The stretch received conditional provisional approval from the Commissioner of Railway Safety in February to begin commercial operations. CMRL later complied with the conditions and received clearance in May, with relaxations related to train speed and service frequency.
