Chennai Metro has opened a 15-km stretch between Poonamallee and Vadapalani under Phase II, adding 11 elevated stations and beginning passenger services on Corridor 4. The route was inaugurated on Sunday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Built at an estimated cost of Rs 4,900 crore, the newly operational section is intended to improve connectivity between Chennai’s western suburbs and the city centre. The route includes a 3.7-km double-decker structure and links Poonamallee with Vadapalani through a series of stations serving residential, commercial and transport activity along the western corridor.
The inauguration included a ride on the new route by Modi and Vijay, who jointly flagged off the services. The Prime Minister also purchased a ticket and interacted briefly with an employee at a station ticket counter, according to the report.
Passenger operations began at 4 pm on Sunday, October 11, with trains running in both directions until 9 pm. From Monday, October 12, regular services will operate daily between 7 am and 9 pm in both directions.
The last train will depart at 9 pm from both terminals: Poonamallee Bypass Metro station and Vadapalani Metro station. The timing applies to the new Corridor 4 stretch from the start of regular operations on Monday.
The 11 stations on the approximately 15-km route are Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee Bus Stand, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, Iyappanthangal, Thelliyaragaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction and Vadapalani.
The opening extends Chennai’s metro network towards the city’s western suburbs, where passengers have historically depended on road-based public transport for access to central parts of the city. The new alignment provides a dedicated rail connection across Poonamallee, Porur and Vadapalani, while the stations at Poonamallee Bus Stand and Poonamallee Government Hospital also serve major local destinations identified along the corridor.
The Poonamallee–Vadapalani section forms part of Chennai Metro’s larger Phase II project. Its elevated design allows services to begin on the completed stretch while other works under the wider expansion continue separately. The immediate operational schedule remains limited to the stated 7 am to 9 pm window from October 12.
Chennai Metro Rail has announced that trains will run in both directions during these hours, with departures continuing until the 9 pm terminal service from both ends. Further operational changes, including any extension of service hours, were not specified in the supplied announcement.
