CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the first operational stretch of Chennai Metro Rail Phase-2 connecting Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani by flagging off the first driverless train at Porur Bypass station.The Prime Minister purchased a paper ticket at the counter, and took a train ride from Porur Bypass station to Poonamallee Bypass station and back, accompanied by chief minister C Joseph Vijay.The 15km elevated stretch, part of Corridor-4, has 11 stations and was built at a cost of Rs 4,900 crore. It connects the western suburbs to the existing Metro network at Vadapalani, where commuters can interchange with Phase-1 services.Regular passenger services will begin at 4pm today. The services will operate until 9pm. From Monday, trains will run from 7am to 9pm, with the last services departing from both terminals at 9pm.Trains will operate every 10 minutes during peak hours — 8am to 11am and 5pm to 8pm — from Monday to Saturday, and every 15 minutes during non-peak hours. On Sundays and public holidays, services will run every 15 minutes throughout the day.The stretch includes Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee Bus Stand, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, Ayyappanthangal, Thelliyagaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction and Vadapalani.The 3.7km double-decker section between Porur Junction and Vadapalani will not open immediately, with six stations along the stretch yet to be made operational.The new section is the first part of the 118.9km Phase-2 network, which is being developed across three corridors. The full project is expected to significantly expand Metro connectivity across Chennai.
