Chennai Metro prepares to open first Phase 2 corridor with 15 trains

Chennai Metro Rail Limited is set to begin passenger services on the first operational stretch of its Phase 2 network on Sunday, October 11, with 11 stations scheduled to open along the 14.64-km corridor between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani.

Prime minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the stretch, marking a major milestone in the expansion of Chennai’s urban rail network.

The corridor has 17 stations in total, but only 11 will initially be accessible to passengers. Six stations on the double-decker section between Porur Junction and Vadapalani will be bypassed when services begin, reported The Times of India.

The initial operating arrangement has been designed to introduce the new corridor while work continues on parts of the wider Phase 2 project.

Fifteen trains are planned for the opening stretch, with services initially running at intervals of 10 minutes. Each train will operate in Automatic Train Operation mode, with two train operators onboard to supervise services.

Although the trains are designed for Unattended Train Operation, fully driverless services are not expected immediately. Chennai Metro Rail Limited has set a target of mid-2027 for introducing driverless operations, subject to completion of testing and the necessary safety certification.

The fare from Vadapalani to Poonamallee Bypass has been fixed at Rs 40. The maximum fare for travel to destinations including Chennai airport, Egmore and Chennai Central is Rs 50.

The new section is expected to improve public transport access across the western suburbs and strengthen the connection between Poonamallee and the existing Metro network at Vadapalani.

Phase 2 is a major component of Chennai’s longer-term transport expansion. Its phased opening will allow the operator to start passenger services on the completed stretch while the remaining stations and infrastructure progress towards operational readiness.

The opening will also bring a new set of Metro stations to neighbourhoods along the Poonamallee-Vadapalani corridor, providing another option for commuters travelling into the city.