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Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has announced plans to run Metro trains at six-minute intervals during peak hours on the Poonamallee to Porur section of its Phase II project. This nine-kilometre stretch is part of Corridor 4, which will eventually connect Poonamallee to Lighthouse via Porur. Metro services on this
section are expected to begin in January 2026. Recently, the Railway Board gave in-principle approval for the signalling system needed to operate trains on this route.
13 Three Coach Trains on Poonamallee-Porur Stretch
CMRL officials said that 13 three-coach trains will be used on the Poonamallee-Porur stretch. Around 30 operators will be deployed to manage services. Although the trains are designed to run without drivers, the shift to fully driverless operations will happen in stages to ensure safety and smooth functioning.
Chennai Metro Train Frequencies
At present, Chennai Metro operates 45 four-coach trains every six minutes during peak hours on the 54-km Phase I and its extension. On shorter routes, such as Washermanpet to Alandur, trains run as frequently as every three minutes. Meanwhile, services between Chennai Central and the airport, and Chennai Central and St. Thomas Mount, operate at 12-minute intervals. This shows that frequent train services are already a key feature of the Chennai Metro network.
Delhi Metro to Maintain Chennai Metro Contract
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has won the contract to operate and maintain Chennai Metro's 118.9-km Phase II network. DMRC will soon take charge of station facilities. Reports say that staff are currently being trained and trial runs are already in progress.
How Will the Compact Metro Stations Help Passengers?
Metro stations on the Poonamallee-Porur stretch will be small and more compact than Phase I stations to help passengers reach platforms faster. Commuters can continue using National Common Mobility Cards and QR code tickets already used on the existing Metro network.
Approval of Loans by Asian Development Bank
Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 240 million loan to support Chennai Metro's expansion. This is part of a larger USD 780 million funding plan approved in 2022. The loan will help build key sections of Metro Lines 3, 4, and 5, covering 20 km and adding 18 new stations with modern, accessible, and disaster-resistant features.
