The Vadapalani-Poonamallee Metro Line will be inaugurated in July

The Vadapalani-Poonamallee Bypass (Nazarethpet) Metro Corridor, being built under Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail Project, is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2026. This 14.6-kilometer-long metro section is part of Corridor 4 of Chennai Metro Phase II, which is being developed from Lighthouse (Marina Beach) to Poonamallee Bypass.

Preparations for a Possible July Inauguration

According to government reports, the Tamil Nadu government has sent information regarding the completion of the project to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). An official announcement regarding the inauguration date is awaited, although the Prime Minister is expected to dedicate the metro line to the public during his visit to Chennai in the second or third week of July.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister may dedicate several completed railway projects to the nation and lay the foundation stone for new National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) projects.

Chennai Metro Phase II's First Operational Milestone

The Vadapalani–Poonamallee Bypass section will be the first operational section of the 26.1-kilometer-long Corridor 4. This corridor, being developed under the Chennai Metro. Phase II project is a vital part of the city's growing transportation network and is expected to benefit thousands of daily commuters in the future.

Significant Reduction in Travel Time

The commencement of metro services will significantly reduce travel time between Poonamallee and Vadapalani. Currently, this journey by road can take approximately 90 minutes due to traffic, whereas once the metro is operational, the same distance will be covered in approximately 30 minutes.

The corridor will also connect to the existing Green Line of the Chennai Metro at Vadapalani station, providing passengers with seamless travel to key locations such as Chennai Central and St. Thomas Mount.

What will be the initial operational plan?

In the initial phase, metro trains will stop at all stations from Poonamallee Bypass to Porur. Subsequently, services will operate directly to Vadapalani. During this period, some intermediate stations will be temporarily skipped.

Stations to be skipped in the initial phase

• Alapakkam
• Karambakkam
• Valasaravakkam
• Alwarthirunagar
• Saligramam Warehouse
• Saligramam

This arrangement aims to provide faster and more efficient service to long-distance travelers.

The Metro Corridor is also connected to the opening of the Kuthambakkam Bus Terminus

The opening of the Vadapalani–Poonamallee Metro Line is also considered crucial for the operation of the proposed Kuthambakkam Mofussil Bus Terminus. Located near the Chennai–Bengaluru National Highway, this bus terminus has been developed to ease traffic congestion in the city.

This terminus is located approximately 6.5 kilometers from the Poonamallee Bypass Metro Station. The state government and relevant agencies are working on a plan to develop it as an alternative to the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT).