Chennai Metro Phase II Opens First Stretch Linking Western Suburbs

India, October 2026 — Chennai Metro Rail Limited has opened the Poonamallee Bypass–Vadapalani stretch of Phase II, marking a major milestone in the city’s ongoing metro expansion. The inauguration was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who travelled on the new line between Porur Bypass and Poonamallee Bypass stations.

The approximately 14.6-kilometre elevated section, also described as the Yellow Line’s first operational stretch, was developed at a cost of around ₹4,900 crore. It includes 11 stations initially available to passengers and a 3.7-kilometre double-decker viaduct designed to accommodate metro infrastructure alongside road traffic. The new section connects developing residential and commercial areas in western Chennai with the existing metro network at Vadapalani.

Passenger services began at 4 pm on inauguration day, with operating hours initially set from 4 pm to 9 pm. From the following day, services were scheduled to run from 7 am to 9 pm. Trains are expected to operate every 10 minutes during weekday peak periods and every 15 minutes at other times.

Although the trains are designed to support driverless operation, services will initially run with drivers for approximately two to three months while Chennai Metro Rail Limited collects operational data and evaluates system performance. The remaining six stations between Vadapalani and Porur, together with outstanding station access works, are expected to be completed later, subject to the required inspections and approvals.

The opening expands Chennai’s operational metro network and is expected to improve access to residential districts, educational institutions and business centres along the western corridor. Further Phase II sections remain under development, with additional construction and testing required before the wider network can enter service.

Source: The Hindu