Chennai Metro Phase II entered passenger service on October 11 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagging off the first train on the Poonamallee–Vadapalani stretch from Porur Bypass Metro Rail station.
The first passenger services began at 4 p.m. on Sunday, with one train starting from Poonamallee and another from Vadapalani. Regular services will operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday, according to the report by The Hindu.
The opening expands Chennai Metro Rail’s operational network from 54 km to 68 km. The newly opened section forms part of the 118.9-km Phase II project, which is being developed to extend rapid transit connectivity across a larger part of the city and its suburbs.
Mr. Modi and Mr. Vijay arrived at Porur Bypass station at around 11.30 a.m. and were briefed on the Phase II project before the inauguration. The briefing covered several project components, including the balanced cantilever construction at Kathipara and the progress of tunnelling work.
The two leaders then purchased a ticket, walked through the station and reached the platform. They flagged off the first train and subsequently boarded another train for a ride from Porur Bypass to Poonamallee.
The opening of the new stretch marks the operational start of Chennai Metro’s second-phase expansion. The increase in network length gives commuters along the Poonamallee, Porur and Vadapalani corridor access to metro services, although the supplied report does not provide station-wise travel times, fares or detailed interchange arrangements.
Passenger operations began on the same day as the ceremonial flag-off, with the first services scheduled in both directions from the Poonamallee and Vadapalani ends. From Monday, the regular operating window will run for 14 hours a day, from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.
The wider Phase II project remains under construction, with tunnelling and other engineering works continuing on parts of the 118.9-km network. Officials also briefed the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister on the status of these works during their visit to Porur Bypass station.
The new operational section adds to Chennai’s existing metro system while construction continues on the remaining Phase II corridors. The next immediate milestone for commuters is the start of regular services across the new stretch from Monday, October 12.
