The first operational stretch of Chennai Metro Phase 2 is yet to open to passengers, nearly seven months after receiving safety clearance, as Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) awaits confirmation of an inauguration date.

The 14.64 km Poonamallee Bypass–Vadapalani stretch includes 11 elevated stations and received conditional provisional approval from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) for commercial operations in February 2026. It is the first section of Phase 2 to become ready for passenger services.

CMRL is awaiting confirmation from the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the inauguration. The event had initially been expected towards the end of September, but no confirmation was available as of September 21. Officials now expect it could take place in the first week of October.

The inauguration may be combined with other programmes during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Chennai, although there was no official confirmation of such a visit. The stretch is part of Corridor 4, which will eventually run 26.1 km between Lighthouse and Poonamallee Bypass. Phase 2 comprises three corridors with a combined length of 118.9 km.

After receiving the initial CRS approval, CMRL completed the required conditions and obtained clearance in May, along with relaxations relating to train speed and service frequency. The opening had earlier been delayed during the Tamil Nadu Assembly election period, when CMRL planned for the Prime Minister to formally inaugurate the line.

In August, officials indicated that the Chennai stretch could be inaugurated through video conferencing from New Delhi alongside Indore Metro’s Priority Corridor-2, but that plan did not materialise. The delay has extended the wait for commuters in areas including Iyyappanthangal and Vadapalani, despite the completion of the safety clearance process.