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The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) recently inspected the Porur-Vadapalani section of the Phase II metro project and said that this stretch is not yet ready for passenger services, although he found no major issues in the Poonamallee-Porur section. During the inspection, the CRS identified several safety-related problems
on the Porur-Vadapalani stretch that must be fixed before trains can resume service for the public. Passenger safety standards should be fully met before approval is given.
Issues Faced in the Poonamallee to Vadapalani Line
Officials from Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) said they have already started addressing the issues mentioned by the CRS. Once the corrections are completed, they will submit a compliance report. After that, a second inspection and speed trials, likely on February 25, will be conducted before final clearance is granted.
Chennai Metro Phase II Opening
CMRL plans to open the first part of Phase II from Poonamallee to Vadapalani via Porur this month. Earlier, the plan was to operate trains only between Poonamallee and Porur, but later it was extended to Vadapalani to connect with the Phase I metro network. While stations between Poonamallee and Porur are fully ready, stations between Alapakkam and Saligramam are expected to become operational by June.
Raising of Concerns
The CRS raised concerns about ongoing construction work, including the double-decker corridor above the metro line between Alapakkam and Saligramam. Some of the main issues include building emergency evacuation staircases, improving lighting in walkways, completing deck slab work, and strengthening overhead equipment masts.
Construction of Emergency Staircases
CMRL officials said they are constructing dedicated emergency staircases and will create exclusive passenger walkways. They also assured that heavy construction work will be done only at night to avoid risks during operations. A safety manual will be submitted, and a safety auditor has been appointed to ensure passenger safety before services begin.
