Chennai opens first operating stretch of Metro Phase II

Chennai opened the Poonamallee–Vadapalani metro stretch on October 11. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay travelled on the new line.

The roughly 15-km elevated route is the first operating stretch of Metro Phase II. It connects western parts of Chennai through Porur, with 11 stations available to passengers.

Under the operator's schedule reported by DT Next, regular services from October 12 will run from 7 am to 9 pm. The last trains will leave both terminal stations at 9 pm.

From Monday to Saturday, trains will run every 10 minutes during the peak periods of 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm. Other services will operate at 15-minute intervals. On Sundays and public holidays, that 15-minute interval will apply throughout the operating day.

The Hindu links the restricted operating hours to overnight construction at six stations between Porur and Vadapalani. The initial service arrangement allows the stretch to open while work at those stations continues.

The full Phase II network is planned to cover 118.9 km. Construction began nearly six years ago, and the opening of this first stretch was delayed by ten months, according to The Hindu.