Poonamallee–Porur Metro
Inauguration Scheduled for 11 October
Chennai’s western suburbs are preparing for a major transport milestone. Recent reports say Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the first operational stretch of Chennai Metro Phase II on 11 October 2026, with an inaugural train ride expected from Poonamallee towards Porur.
The inauguration covers the longer 14.64-km Poonamallee Bypass–Vadapalani stretch, passing through Porur. This means the new service will provide a connection beyond Porur to Chennai’s existing Metro network. Passenger-service timings should be checked against CMRL’s launch announcement.
Vadapalani Connects the New Route to the Existing Metro
The new stretch forms part of Corridor 4, the Yellow Line, and connects with the existing Phase I Green Line at Vadapalani. Passengers from Poonamallee and Porur can change trains there to continue towards Central or St Thomas Mount. Airport-bound passengers can travel to Alandur on the Green Line and change to the Blue Line.
Poonamallee–Porur alone would have lacked a direct connection to the operating Metro lines. CMRL therefore brought forward the Porur–Vadapalani link to make the first opening more useful for daily commuters.
Eleven Stations Expected to Open Initially
The Poonamallee Bypass–Vadapalani stretch has 17 stations, but only 11 are expected to open initially. These include Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee, Mullaithottam, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, Iyyappanthangal, Thellaiyagaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction and Vadapalani.
Trains are expected to bypass six stations between Porur and Vadapalani: Alapakkam, Karambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alwarthirunagar, Saligramam and Avichi School. Residents near these stations should check their opening status before planning daily journeys.
Reported Fares and Train Frequency
The reported initial plan provides for 15 trains at approximately 10-minute intervals. The maximum fare between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani is reported as ₹40, while journeys from Poonamallee Bypass to Airport, Egmore or Central are reported at ₹50. These figures describe the reported launch arrangements; passengers should consult CMRL’s final fare and timetable information when services begin.
Driverless Operation Targeted for Mid-2027
The Phase II trains are designed for driverless operation, but the new service is expected to begin with two operators onboard. Systems testing and safety validation will continue, with fully unattended operation reportedly targeted for mid-2027.
Road Restoration Remains a Concern Around Porur
The approaching inauguration has also brought road conditions into focus. A 6 October report highlights damaged patches, incomplete widening and poorly managed U-turns along the Poonamallee–Porur road, including areas around Kattupakkam, Karayanchavadi and Iyyappanthangal. Convenient pedestrian access, feeder transport and safe crossings will be essential as commuters start using the new stations.
Other Metro Updates:
Koyambedu–Trade Centre Trial Runs Targeted for November
Another Phase II section is moving towards testing. A September report says CMRL is targeting November 2026 for trial operations on the Koyambedu–Chennai Trade Centre stretch, with the possibility of extending the initial operating section to Alandur. Testing was expected to take approximately four months. A possible passenger opening in early 2027 remains dependent on construction progress and approvals.
Three Tunnel Breakthroughs Advance Chennai Metro Phase II
CMRL officially recorded three tunnel breakthroughs in consecutive days: Kilpauk Medical College on 29 September, Villivakkam on 30 September and RK Salai on 1 October. At RK Salai, TBM Adyar completed the 915-metre downline tunnel from Royapettah in 277 days. These achievements advance underground construction on Corridors 3 and 5.
OMR Metro Construction Reaches Key Milestones
Along OMR, CMRL confirmed completion of all 3,066 piles and casting of all 582 U-girders for the Nehru Nagar–Sholinganallur construction package in July.
Recent tender listings also cover electrical, fire-safety, ventilation and building-management systems for nine elevated stations between Sholinganallur Lake and SIPCOT 2. These are construction and procurement milestones.
Suburban Metro Extensions Await Further Approvals
As per the latest report Airport–Kilambakkam, Koyambedu–Pattabiram and Poonamallee–Sunguvarchatram extensions are awaiting Union government approval.
Separately, CMRL has issued consultancy notices for project reports on Kilambakkam–Chengalpattu and Assisi Nagar–Wimco Nagar. These routes remain at the study and planning stage, with no opening dates established by those notices.
Corridor 4 tunnelling passed beneath the operating Blue Line
On 19 September, two tunnel boring machines successfully crossed beneath the existing Metro tunnels between Nandanam and Saidapet, without disrupting Blue Line passenger services.
As per the report :
- Completion target for the Kodambakkam–Panagal Park underground stretch is expected around June 2027
- Completion target for the wider Boat Club–Nandanam–Panagal Park–Kodambakkam underground package is expected to be around December 2027.
These are construction targets, not guaranteed opening dates
New traffic diversions start on 8 October
Diversions at the TTK Road–Sriram Nagar North junction are scheduled for three months from 8 October, to facilitate Metro tunnel cross-passage construction.
Direct movements between TTK Road and Sriram Nagar North Street will be restricted, with vehicles diverted through TTK Road First Cross Street and the specified local routes.
Better Access Planned Around Existing Metro Stations
SYSTRA secured the consultancy contract to prepare plans for improving connections within 500 metres of 41 Blue and Green Line stations.
Proposals include better footpaths, shaded walkways, pedestrian bridges, station entrances, parking and organised pickup/drop-off areas. Central, Airport, Guindy, Thousand Lights, Thirumangalam and Alandur are among the reported priorities.
CMRL also recorded 1,00,26,601 passenger journeys during September 2026, highlighting continued demand for Metro travel as the first Phase II opening approaches.
Buying, Selling or Renting Near the Metro? Check the Price First
Before buying, selling or renting residential or commercial property along the Poonamallee–Porur–Vadapalani Metro corridor, check the area’s guideline value, recent transaction prices and prevailing rental rates. Buyers should avoid unrealistic prices driven by Metro-related hype, sellers should set asking prices based on current local market evidence, and tenants should compare rents for similar properties nearby. Consider the actual distance and access to an operating station—not just a “near Metro” claim.
For commercial property sales, rentals or leases with regard to offices along the Metro corridor, compare recent sale prices and local rental rates before agreeing to a deal.
Avoid inflated “near Metro” prices—check actual station access, permitted commercial use and customer footfall.