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Chennai Metro opens its first Phase II line to passengers

Chennai Metro inaugurated its Poonamallee–Vadapalani section, the first operational line of Phase II. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay took a ride after flagging off the first train. The section connects with the existing network. Opening-day passenger services are scheduled for Sunday afternoon, followed by regular operation from Monday. Phase II is planned to cover 118.9 kilometres.

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A metro train approaches an elevated station, with rails extending into the urban background.

Poonamallee–Vadapalani joins the existing network

Chennai Metro, in India’s Tamil Nadu state, inaugurated its Poonamallee–Vadapalani section on 11 October. It is the first operational part of the second phase. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay took a ride after flagging off the first train. The section connects with the first-phase network at Vadapalani, bringing the initial section of the larger Phase II construction programme into passenger service.[1], [2]

The new line was announced as 15 kilometres long, with 11 elevated stations and a cost of approximately 49 billion rupees. It belongs to the 118.9 kilometre second phase, which spans three corridors. Its stations include Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee Bus Stand, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Karayanchavadi and Kumananchavadi. The route continues through Kattupakkam, Ayyappanthangal and Thelliyaragaram to Porur Bypass, Porur Junction and Vadapalani. The metro investment forms part of an infrastructure programme in Tamil Nadu valued at approximately 130 billion rupees. In his inauguration address, Modi presented the metro and other transport investments alongside regional connectivity and manufacturing projects. Work on the second phase’s three corridors was continuing when the new section opened.[1]

Porur Bypass hosted the inauguration

At Porur Bypass station, Modi and Vijay received a briefing on work across the second phase. The briefing included the balanced cantilever structure at Kathipara and progress on tunnelling. Modi then bought a ticket, walked through the station and reached the platform. After flagging off the first train, the two leaders boarded the following train for the journey from Porur Bypass to Poonamallee.[2]

The station ceremony and the start of passenger services were scheduled separately. Following the morning inauguration and the leaders’ ride, passenger trains were scheduled to begin on Sunday afternoon. A train from Poonamallee and another from Vadapalani were planned to depart simultaneously, opening passenger service from both ends of the route.[2]

Regular operation is scheduled from Monday

Under the timetable announced by Chennai Metro, regular daily trains are scheduled to run from morning until evening beginning on Monday. Sunday’s afternoon start belongs to the inauguration-day schedule. The timetable published for Monday provides a longer daily operating period for passengers.[2]

The stated service interval is ten minutes during weekday peak periods. At other times and on Sundays, the planned interval is fifteen minutes. Connecting the section to the existing network at Vadapalani brings this first Phase II passenger service into operation within the same metro system as the first-phase lines.[1]

References

  1. News sourceDynamite NewsChennai opens a 49 billion rupee metro line↩1↩2↩3
  2. News sourceThe HinduChennai Metro opens the first section of its second phase↩1↩2↩3↩4
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