Construction has begun on the re aligned section of Chennai Metro’s Corridor 5 between Madhavaram and Sholinganallur, close to Koyambedu. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) redesigned this stretch to shorten the build programme, minimise land acquisition and better reflect current travel patterns after long distance buses moved from the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus to Kilambakkam.

The previous plan curved east after VR Mall to a station at Kaliamman Koil Street; that detour—intended to serve political offices and nearby housing—has now been abandoned. The viaduct instead proceeds in a straight line from Kendriya Vidyalaya directly to Koyambedu, where a new elevated station will sit above the existing stop, uniting Corridor 2 and Corridor 5 in one location. Bypassing 100 Feet Road cuts construction complexity, while co locating the lines will allow smoother passenger transfers. Sub station equipment is being repositioned, and the double deck viaduct concept remains unchanged. CMRL expects to finish this section by June 2026.

Residents of Natesan Nagar have welcomed the simpler layout, arguing it will ease surface traffic and improve safety. In response, the Highways Department has revived plans for an elevated pedestrian skywalk costing about Rs 180 million to link Jawaharlal Nehru Road with Poonamallee High Road.

North of Koyambedu, tunnelling between Nadambur and Madhavaram is lagging. The contract for the Coovum River crossing had to be retendered after an earlier Japan International Cooperation Agency package was cancelled; although new bids are approved, river bed permits arrived only recently, delaying mobilisation.

At Thirumangalam the planned station has shifted away from an existing bridge and will now require the acquisition of four residential blocks. Authorities say compensation will follow standard policy, but local concerns persist.