Chennai Metro’s new Poonamallee–Vadapalani section cuts travel time

A journey on Chennai Metro’s newly opened Poonamallee–Vadapalani section takes under 40 minutes, compared with roughly an hour by road during busy periods, The Hindu reported.

The 14.6-kilometre section links western suburbs with Vadapalani as part of the network’s second phase. Residents interviewed by the newspaper described easier trips for work, shopping and family outings.

Kattupakkam resident Thiruvikraman said the metro station was less than five minutes from his home. He previously paid 300–400 rupees for a cab journey to Vadapalani and said traffic made the trip difficult.

The new trains have three coaches. Half of one coach is designated for women using pink markings and hand grips, rather than the separate women’s coach used in the first-phase network.

Other features include charging points, digital route maps and half-height platform screen doors at elevated stations. DT Next reported on October 12 that 25,474 passengers had travelled on the new Yellow Line during its opening day, October 11.