Commuters in Chennai are set to get a major travel boost next month. Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) has announced plans to begin train operations on a crucial new segment of its Phase II network, connecting the western suburb of Poonamallee to the busy Vadapalani junction.
Trial Run Success Paves the Way for February Launch
A successful trial run was conducted on Sunday, marking a significant step towards the operational launch. A three-car metro train travelled the seven-kilometre section between Porur and Vadapalani at a speed of 12 kmph, passing through Valasaravakkam and Virugambakkam. This stretch is part of the larger Corridor 4, which spans 26.1 km from Poonamallee to Lighthouse on Kamarajar Salai.
With the 10-km segment between Poonamallee and Porur already in the final approval stages, CMRL is targeting to commence passenger services up to Vadapalani before the second week of February. CMRL Managing Director M A Siddique stated that establishing connectivity up to Vadapalani first is strategic, as it allows commuters to seamlessly switch to the existing Phase I Green Line. This connection opens up routes to key destinations like Chennai Central, Wimco Nagar, Guindy, St. Thomas Mount, and Chennai Airport.
Phased Operations and Initial Challenges
However, the launch will come with some initial limitations. For the first few months, trains will not halt at stations between Porur and Vadapalani, as station work is still ongoing. Stoppages will be introduced in a phased manner, with all stations expected to be functional within four months, by June. Initially, trains will run at a frequency of seven minutes between Poonamallee and Porur. The frequency for the Porur-Vadapalani segment will depend on the time taken for trains to change tracks at Vadapalani for the return journey.
Speed will also be gradually increased. While the trial was conducted at 12 kmph, officials aim to ramp up operational speeds to between 35 and 40 kmph by the end of January. Furthermore, the signalling system will shift from automatic up to Porur to a manual system for the remainder of the journey to Vadapalani.
Construction Challenges for Corridor 5 Integration
This hybrid signalling approach is partly due to the complex construction work happening overhead. Corridor 5, which will link Madhavaram and Sholinganallur, runs above Corridor 4 for about 3.5 km in this section. CMRL Project Director T Archunan acknowledged the challenge of building a new corridor over an operational one. He mentioned that heavy concrete work has been expedited and the remaining work has been planned meticulously to avoid disrupting services on Corridor 4.
This new connectivity is poised to significantly reduce travel time and hassle for thousands of daily commuters moving from Poonamallee and surrounding western suburbs towards central Chennai and other key hubs via the metro network's integrated lines.
