Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the first operational stretch of the Chennai Metro Phase 2 project today, October 11. During the inaugural ceremony, the Prime Minister will be accompanied by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for a metro ride from Poonamallee to Porur Bypass. The official flag-off is scheduled for 11:30 am, followed by a broader programme at IIT Madras at 2:00 pm, where other state projects will also be unveiled.
This initial 15-kilometre section connects Poonamallee and Vadapalani. Passenger services are expected to commence at 4:00 pm following the conclusion of the formal events. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has announced that the new route will operate daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. During peak hours—scheduled between 8:00 am to 11:00 am and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm—trains will run every 10 minutes, while non-peak hours will see a frequency of one train every 15 minutes.
The restricted hours have been implemented to allow for ongoing construction work at six stations along the route, including Alapakkam, Karambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alwarthirunagar, and the two Saligramam stations. Officials indicated that service frequency is expected to increase once civil works are finalised.
The ambitious 118.9-km Phase 2 network has been in development since the Tamil Nadu government granted in-principle approval in January 2019. The foundation stone was laid by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in November 2020, with construction on the elevated stretch beginning the following year. Following trial runs conducted earlier this year and final authorisation from the Commissioner of Railway Safety in May 2026, the project marks a significant milestone in the state’s urban infrastructure development. The Union Cabinet had previously approved the overarching Phase 2 plan in October 2024.
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