Phase-2 metro stretch getting ready for final inspection

Phase-2 metro stretch getting ready for final inspection

 U.Tejonmayam@timesofindia.com 22.01.2026

Chennai : The 14.5-km phase-2 metro rail stretch from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani is getting ready for final inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) ahead of its proposed opening for passenger operations in Feb. Commuters, however, may not get access to at least seven stations between Porur Junction and Saligramam immediately, as civil work and passenger amenities at these stations are yet to be completed. 

These stations will instead be commissioned in phases before mid-2026, officials said. The stretch includes seven stations, of which four are double-decker stations spread over a 4-km section. When the line opens next month, driverless metro trains will bypass these stations and terminate at Vadapalani, where commuters can use the existing skywalk to use the phase-1 metro line towards airport, Central and Egmore. 

On Wednesday, workers were seen preparing the skywalk and entry points at Vadapalani station, while stations between Porur and Poonamallee Bypass were getting final touches to their facades. “We will open stations one by one before June 2026, which was the original target,” a metro rail official said. 

The stations between Porur Junction and Saligramam include the doubledecker stations at Alapakkam, Karambakkam, Valsaravakkam and Alwarthirunagar, besides Saligramam Warehouse and Saligramam stations. 

The 14.5-km stretch forms part of the 26.1-km corridor-4 from Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass. CMRL began trial runs between Porur and Poonamallee in 2025, followed by trials on the Vadapalani–Porur section in Jan 2026. So far, CMRS completed inspection of the driverless trains, while inspections of the viaduct, tracks, signalling systems and station amenities are yet to be carried out. After inspections, CMRS will submit its report to the Railway Board. “After the Railway Board issues the authorisation for passenger operations, we will inform both Centre and state govt, which will decide the opening date,” the official said.

Officials said advancing the opening to Vadapalani, instead of waiting till June, would allow phase-2 to connect with existing phase-1 lines. “It will make commuting to city easier, as passengers can now reach airport or Central via Vadapalani,” said a resident of Iyyappanthangal, S Hemachandran.