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Chennai has locked October 11 for the first Phase‑2 opening: the 14.64‑km Poonamallee Bypass–Vadapalani stretch. CMRL will run 15 trains at 10‑minute intervals, with fares between ₹10 and ₹40. Through journeys to Airport, Central or Egmore will cost ₹50 via interchange. Driverless operations will wait until mid‑2027, officials said.
Regulatory clearances earlier this year made the launch possible. The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety approved the section in February, with relaxations in May. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate the corridor on October 11. CMRL sped up the Porur–Vadapalani link after January trial runs to ensure interchange access. The ride is expected to shrink Poonamallee–Vadapalani travel to about 30 minutes.
Chennai Metro Phase‑2 route and stations
Trains will stop at 11 stations between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani. They are Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee, Mullaithottam, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam and Iyyappanthangal. Also Thelliyaragaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction and Vadapalani. Six double‑decker stations will be bypassed initially: Alapakkam, Karambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alwarthirunagar, Saligramam and Avichi School. Transfers at Vadapalani connect to Phase‑1; a paid‑to‑paid skywalk is under construction.
Chennai Metro Phase‑2 timings, fares and interchanges
At launch, 15 trains will maintain 10‑minute headways on the corridor. CMRL’s Phase‑2 plan envisages 5:00 to midnight operations; the first‑day timetable will follow. Fares on the new section are capped at ₹40. Through rides to Airport, Central or Egmore via Vadapalani will cost ₹50.
| Journey/Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Poonamallee Bypass–Vadapalani | ₹10–₹40 |
| Poonamallee Bypass to Airport/Egmore/Central (via Vadapalani) | ₹50 |
| Planned service window (Phase‑2 plan) | 05:00–00:00 |
| Launch‑day frequency | Every 10 minutes |
The line starts with staff‑supervised automation, before driverless certification arrives. “We will have two operators onboard all the trains and operate them in degraded mode.” An official said this while explaining the initial operating mode. Full Unattended Train Operation is targeted around mid‑2027, after testing and certification.
Chennai Metro Phase‑2 opening‑week crowd plan and last‑mile options
Expect queues at Vadapalani during peaks, as several mid‑corridor stations are yet to open. Allow extra time for transfers and way‑finding on opening week. For last‑mile, use Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses, share autos or CMRL’s feeder options. Parking remains constrained near Porur, and not earmarked at Vadapalani Phase‑2, so prefer drop‑offs.