New Chennai Metro stretch connects Poonamallee with Vadapalani
Eleven stations expand daily transport access across western Chennai
Overview
Western Chennai commuters now have a 15-kilometre metro link from Poonamallee to Vadapalani. The line adds 11 elevated stations and offers a faster route to the city centre. Passenger service on the ₹4,900-crore began on October 11. Full daily service starts the next day, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The line includes a 3.7-kilometre structure with two levels, built where space is limited. Its signals can support in the future.
The opening is part of Tamil Nadu’s wider plan to build transport, port, energy and education projects worth more than ₹13,000 crore. The metro could cut travel times and improve access to western suburbs. Its wider benefits will depend on reliable trains, easy connections and completion of the rest of .
Timeline
Opening joins wider Tamil Nadu package
The metro inauguration was part of a Tamil Nadu visit during which projects worth more than ₹13,000 crore were inaugurated, launched or given . The package covered metro rail alongside highways, railways, ports, petroleum and education projects. The was therefore distinct from other projects that remained at announcement or foundation-stone stages.
Double-decker engineering featured in new metro corridor
The approximately 15-km Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch includes a 3.7-km and designed to support future .
Passenger operations begin
Regular passenger service on the new stretch began at 4 p.m. on inauguration day, with trains operating in both directions until 9 p.m. From October 12, services were scheduled to run daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The line links Poonamallee, Porur, Vadapalani and surrounding western suburbs with Chennai’s .
Phase II Corridor 4 opens
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 15-km Poonamallee–Vadapalani stretch of , part of , at an estimated cost of ₹4,900 crore. The elevated section has 11 stations and extends metro access through western Chennai. Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off the service and travelled on the new line.