Chennai Metro Phase 2’s 15-km Poonamallee Bypass–Vadapalani stretch was inaugurated on October 11, opening 11 elevated stations across western Chennai and adding a new connection to the city’s existing metro network. The corridor, developed at a cost of around Rs 4,900 crore, is expected to improve daily travel between Poonamallee, Porur and Vadapalani.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the stretch on Sunday, after which passenger services began at 4 pm and continued until 9 pm. Regular services are scheduled to operate from 7 am to 9 pm in both directions from October 12, with the last trains departing Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani stations at 9 pm.
The stations on the new stretch are Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee Bus Stand, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, Iyappanthangal, Thelliyaragaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction and Vadapalani. The alignment connects residential neighbourhoods, major junctions and employment-linked areas in western Chennai.
On weekdays, trains are scheduled every 10 minutes during peak periods from 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm. During non-peak periods, including 7 am to 8 am, 11 am to 5 pm and 8 pm to 9 pm, the frequency will be 15 minutes. Services on Sundays and public holidays will operate every 15 minutes between 7 am and 9 pm.
Vadapalani will serve as the interchange point with Chennai Metro’s operational network. Passengers can connect to Corridor 2 services from there and continue towards destinations including Egmore, Chennai Central, Alandur and Chennai Airport using the relevant connecting services. The link is expected to reduce the need for road-based travel for commuters moving between western Chennai and established commercial and transport centres.
The corridor has been designed for train speeds of up to 80 kmph. According to the report, 36 trains have been allocated for Corridor 4, while 10 trains are planned for initial operations. The project incorporates Automatic Train Control, Automatic Train Protection and Communication-Based Train Control systems, along with driverless operation capability and platform screen doors.
Platform screen doors have been installed at stations to separate passengers from the tracks and support safer platform operations. The project also includes an approximately 3.7-km double-decker section, which accommodates transport infrastructure on two levels and is intended to optimise the use of available urban space.
The corridor includes an interchange facility between Corridors 4 and 5, which is expected to support wider Phase 2 connectivity as further sections become operational. The new service is aimed at commuters, students and residents travelling through Poonamallee, Kattupakkam, Iyappanthangal, Porur and Vadapalani, as well as areas connected to the Chennai–Sriperumbudur belt.
