Chennai’s Poonamallee–Vadapalani Metro corridor was inaugurated on Sunday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay flagging off the service and travelling together on the newly opened route. The corridor is expected to strengthen public transport connectivity across western Chennai.
Modi and Vijay were seen seated together inside the Metro train during the journey. Before boarding, they reviewed route maps and inspected displays explaining the Chennai Metro Rail Phase II project. Metro Rail officials briefed the two leaders on the corridor and the progress of the wider second-phase expansion.
The Prime Minister also obtained a ticket before proceeding to inaugurate the service. The opening marks the introduction of a new Metro connection between Poonamallee and Vadapalani, providing an additional public transport option for commuters travelling across western parts of the city.
The corridor forms part of Chennai Metro Rail Phase II, under which the city is expanding its rail-based transit network. During the visit, officials presented details of the Phase II project, including proposed routes and infrastructure development. The briefing covered the continuing work to extend Metro connectivity across Chennai.
The new service is expected to improve links between Poonamallee and Vadapalani and benefit commuters travelling across western Chennai. Its operational significance will depend on how effectively it connects with existing Metro services and other modes of transport used by residents, although the supplied report does not provide details of interchange arrangements, service frequency or fares.
The inauguration took place during Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu, his first trip to the state since the TVK government assumed office, according to the report. Vijay personally received the Prime Minister at Chennai airport after his arrival from Delhi. State ministers, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran and other party functionaries were also present.
Besides the Metro inauguration, Modi was scheduled to participate in development-related programmes at IIT Madras. The visit placed the newly opened corridor within a broader set of development-related engagements in the state.
The opening also brings attention to the institutional scale of Chennai’s Metro expansion. The project involves coordination between Metro Rail officials and the state and Union leadership, with route planning and infrastructure development forming part of the Phase II programme. Further operational details and the next stages of the wider expansion are expected to be communicated through the project authorities.
