The train starting at Poonamallee Bypass will head to Porur Junction with 10 stops in between, but after Alapakkam it will halt only at Vadapalani.
| Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ
In a slight shift from the original plan, Chennai Metro Rail will launch train services for the Phase II network on the 15.8-km stretch from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani in February.
Initially, the plan was to start train services between Poonamallee Bypass and Porur Junction by January-end and then extend the services till Vadapalani in February. This is to ensure commuters benefit from using the Phase II network in the initial stages where there is some connectivity to the Phase I network.
The first round of inspection of the trains by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) to examine was completed a few days ago. The final inspection to check the facilities at stations before commencing train services may be conducted in the last week of January.
Vadapalani skywalk
In Vadapalani, the commuters will exit the concourse of the Phase II station, and using the upcoming skywalk, they can reach the concourse of the Phase I station and vice versa.
According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), as a precursor to this, the trial run is scheduled to be extended till Vadapalani on January 9. “If the rain doesn’t hamper the work and trial run, we plan to commence from next Friday,” an official said.
A total of 987 pillars has been built between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani, including the double-decker stretch between Alwarthirunagar and Alapakkam. “Nearly 2 km of track has to be laid between Porur Junction and Vadapalani (1 km on the upline and 1 km on the downward line) and some of the overhead equipment masts too have to be fixed. We want to complete the work at least on the downward line by January 9 and begin the trial run. Subsequently, in a couple of days, the trial run can begin on the upline as well,” a source said.
‘Challenging task’
It is going to be challenging to lay the 2 km of track within a week. But CMRL officials said they had mobilised 600 workers to complete the work. The Vadapalani entry/exit itself is unlikely to be ready by February as there is quite a lot of work left to be finished.
Hence, commuters using the Vadapalani Phase II station may have to use the Vadapalani Phase I station to enter and exit initially, sources said.
As far as the other stations between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani are concerned, the construction of the ones between Poonamallee Bypass and Porur Junction will be completed, and commuters can access them, but those between Alapakkam and Saligramam may be ready only by June.
So, the train which starts at Poonamallee Bypass will head to Porur Junction with 10 stops, but after Alapakkam it will halt only at Vadapalani.
Published – January 03, 2026 05:39 am IST
