Chennai Metro Phase 2: 14.64 Km Stretch Awaits Inauguration Date

Nearly seven months after receiving safety clearance, the first operational stretch of Chennai Metro Phase 2 is yet to open for passengers as Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) awaits confirmation of an inauguration date.

The 14.64 km Poonamallee Bypass - Vadapalani stretch, which includes 11 elevated stations, received conditional provisional approval from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to begin commercial operations in February 2026. It is the first section of Phase 2 to be ready for passenger services.

Sources said CMRL is awaiting confirmation from the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the inauguration. An inauguration was initially expected towards the end of September, but there had been no confirmation as of September 21. Officials now expect the event could take place in the first week of October.

The inauguration may be combined with other programmes during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Chennai. However, there was no official confirmation of such a visit as of Tuesday.

The Poonamallee Bypass–Vadapalani stretch forms part of Corridor 4, which will eventually cover 26.1 km between Lighthouse and Poonamallee Bypass. Chennai Metro Phase 2 consists of three corridors with a combined length of 118.9 km.

After receiving the initial CRS approval, CMRL completed the required conditions and subsequently obtained clearance in May, along with certain relaxations relating to train speed and frequency.

The inauguration had earlier been delayed during the Tamil Nadu Assembly election period, as CMRL had planned for the Prime Minister to formally open the line. In August, officials had also indicated that the Chennai stretch could be inaugurated through video conferencing from New Delhi along with Indore Metro’s Priority Corridor-2. However, that plan did not materialise.

For commuters in areas such as Iyyappanthangal and Vadapalani, the delay has meant waiting longer for the new Metro service despite the stretch having completed the safety clearance process.