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The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) has completed the first round of safety inspection for trains running on Chennai Metro Rail Phase II. This is an important step toward starting metro services on the Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani route. With this progress, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is
now planning to begin operations on this 15.8-km stretch in February, instead of the earlier plan.
Chennai Metro Services
Earlier, CMRL had planned to start services only between Poonamallee Bypass and Porur Junction by the end of January, and then extend the line to Vadapalani after a month. However, officials later decided to open the full stretch up to Vadapalani at once. This change was made to provide early connectivity with the Phase I network, which will help commuters travel more easily from the beginning.
Chennai Metro Inspection of Trains
Officials said the initial CMRS inspection of trains was completed a few days ago. The final inspection, which will check stations, passenger facilities, and other safety features, is expected to take place in the last week of January. Before that, trial runs will be extended up to Vadapalani on January 9. If weather conditions, especially rain, do not affect the work, metro services may begin from next Friday, according to a CMRL official.
Double-Decker Section
So far, 987 pillars have been built along the route, including a double-decker section between Alwarthirunagar and Alapakkam. However, about 2 km of track work between Porur Junction and Vadapalani is still pending, along with the installation of overhead power equipment. To finish this work on time, around 600 workers have been deployed.
In the beginning, entry and exit at the Vadapalani Phase II station may not be open. Passengers will use the Phase I Vadapalani station through a new skywalk. While stations from Poonamallee Bypass to Porur Junction will be ready, stations between Alapakkam and Saligramam are expected to open only by June. Trains will stop at 10 stations up to Porur Junction and then directly at Vadapalani after Alapakkam.
