Chennai Metro Poonamallee-Vadapalani Line: Opening Date, Route and Engineering Firsts

Poonamallee to Vadapalani Metro: West Chennai Gets a New Link

The சென்னை மெட்ரோ network is set to expand westwards with the Poonamallee to Vadapalani stretch of Phase-2. Work on the Poonamallee-Vadapalani section of the second phase is reported complete, with the service slated to open on 11 October 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the line for public use [1].

The 14.64 km elevated corridor is being built at an estimated ₹5,000 crore. Construction began in June 2021 and the alignment will have 17 stations connecting Porur, Valasaravakkam, Virugambakkam and others to Vadapalani, which acts as an interchange with the existing Corridor-2 [1].

Global-first 5-track single pillar design on Arkad Road

Between Vadapalani and Porur on Arkad Road the line is designed as a double-deck structure with five tracks on a single pillar over about 4 km. The configuration is described as a world first for a metro, allowing four train tracks plus one loop line on the same support [1].

UTO technology and initial operations

The stretch is designed for Unattended Train Operation. After inauguration the service will run with drivers for a few days and then transition gradually to driverless operation. Trains are planned with a 900 passenger capacity and 10-minute headways [1].

Fares and connectivity

Fares are distance based on the 14.6 km elevated alignment, with a minimum of ₹10 and a maximum of ₹40. From Vadapalani passengers can interchange to Corridor-2 for onward travel to Anna Salai, Teynampet, Saidapet, Koyambedu, Alandur, Airport and Central [1].

Reports dated 6-8 October 2026 also discuss the Chennai visit and the participation of CM Vijay alongside PM Modi. Search interest for சென்னை மெட்ரோ rose in the past-24h window observed on 9 October 2026, with related keywords including மு. க. ஸ்டாலின.