Chennai Metro Phase II received a major operational boost on Sunday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay flagged off the new Poonamallee–Vadapalani Metro service and travelled together on the corridor.
The two leaders were seen seated inside the Metro train during the journey after reviewing route maps and inspecting displays about the Chennai Metro Rail Phase II project. Metro Rail officials briefed them on the corridor and the progress of the wider second-phase expansion.
Before boarding the train, Modi obtained a ticket before proceeding to inaugurate the service, according to DT Next. The launch places the Poonamallee–Vadapalani connection within Chennai’s expanding rapid-transit network and is expected to improve connectivity across western Chennai.
The new corridor is intended to benefit commuters travelling between Poonamallee and Vadapalani, two important points in the western part of the metropolitan area. The report did not provide details on the corridor’s length, number of stations, fares or the precise timetable for regular passenger operations.
The inauguration was part of Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister Vijay received the Prime Minister at Chennai airport after his arrival from Delhi. State ministers, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran and other party functionaries were also present.
The visit marks Modi’s first trip to Tamil Nadu since the TVK government assumed office, the report said. Besides the Metro inauguration, he was scheduled to participate in development-related programmes at IIT Madras.
During the visit, officials briefed the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister on the Chennai Metro Rail Phase II project, including proposed routes and infrastructure development. The discussions placed the newly inaugurated service within the larger expansion programme rather than treating it as an isolated corridor launch.
For commuters, the immediate significance of the service lies in the additional east-west connectivity it is expected to provide in western Chennai. The corridor’s performance will depend on regular operations, station access and its integration with the rest of the Metro network, although the supplied report did not provide operational details on these aspects.
The inauguration marks the latest step in Chennai Metro’s Phase II expansion. Further information on services, route-level infrastructure and the next stages of the project is expected from Metro Rail authorities as the expanded network moves into regular operation.
