Sat Jan 03 00:09:00 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article based on it:
Summary:
Chennai Metro Rail’s Phase II network will launch a 15.8 km stretch from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani in February, slightly adjusted from the original plan. Initial services will prioritize connectivity to Phase I, allowing commuters to transfer at Vadapalani via a skywalk. Trial runs are scheduled to extend to Vadapalani on January 9th, with inspections planned for late January. Track laying between Porur Junction and Vadapalani is underway with an accelerated schedule. While the line will operate between Poonamallee Bypass and Porur Junction with 10 stops, only Vadapalani will be operational after Alapakkam until June due to ongoing station construction.
News Article:
Chennai Metro Phase II to Open Poonamallee-Vadapalani Stretch in February
CHENNAI, January 3, 2026 – Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) announced today that the Phase II network will begin operations on a 15.8 km stretch from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani in February. This is a slight shift from the original plan, which aimed for a phased opening, first to Porur Junction and then to Vadapalani. The adjustment prioritizes early connectivity to the existing Phase I network.
The new line will allow commuters to transfer seamlessly at Vadapalani using a newly constructed skywalk linking the Phase II and Phase I stations. CMRL officials confirmed that trial runs will be extended to Vadapalani as early as January 9th, pending weather conditions. The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) completed an initial inspection, with a final inspection of station facilities scheduled for late January.
“We are working diligently to complete the remaining track work between Porur Junction and Vadapalani, a critical 2km section, by the trial run date,” stated a CMRL source. “We have mobilized 600 workers to meet the tight deadline.”
The train service will operate with 10 stops between Poonamallee Bypass and Porur Junction. However, due to ongoing construction, the stations between Alapakkam and Saligramam will not be fully operational until June. As a result, the train will only halt at Vadapalani after Alapakkam until the remaining stations are completed. Initially, passengers may need to use the Phase I Vadapalani station for entry and exit as the Phase II station entrance is still under construction.
The opening of this Phase II stretch marks a significant step in expanding Chennai’s metro network, promising improved connectivity for commuters in the western suburbs.
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