Modi in Chennai metro
The 3.7km double-decker section between Porur Junction and Vadapalani, including six stations, is not yet operational. The stretch covers Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee Bus Stand, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, Ayyappanthangal, Thelliyagaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction and Vadapalani.
Chennai: The first stretch of the 118.9km Phase-2 Metro Rail from Vadapalani to Poonamallee Bypass covering 14.64km opened to the public on Sunday evening, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister C Joseph Vijay flagged off the first train at Porur Bypass station. Now it takes less than 30 minutes,” said Nitesh Kumar, a resident of Iyyappanthangal. “It will take just 20 minutes for me to reach my office in Vadapalani.
Because their operating hours differ, a Metro official said Phase-1 and Phase-2 timetables were not yet synchronised.
Now I can spend the money I spend on petrol on a Metro monthly pass,” he said. I simply said ‘thank you’ and he replied ‘welcome’,” said Subathira S, the ticket-counter staff member. The two leaders then became the first passengers on the city’s driverless Metro train, travelling from Porur Bypass to Poonamallee Bypass and back, seated next to each other during the ride. “We were looking forward to this inauguration. It takes about an hour for us to reach Vadapalani from Iyyappanthangal by road. For Porur resident S Ramesh Anand, the line means avoiding busy Arcot Road on his daily commute. I’d otherwise spend a stressful hour riding my bike to work every day. “I was awestruck and speechless when he purchased a ticket. Civil work and train testing will continue after services end at 9pm.