Speed Trial On Vadapalani To Poonamallee Metro Likely By February End

23 Feb 2026 CW Team

The final speed trial for the Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) Corridor Four Phase Two stretch from Vadapalani to Poonamallee Bypass is expected towards the end of the third week of February as part of preparations for regulatory approval. The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) continued statutory inspections on the priority section for a second consecutive day, bringing the project closer to the start of commercial operations. Officials noted that the inspections form a mandatory step before passenger services commence.

Inspections by the CMRS covered the elevated section between Iyyapanthangal and Vadapalani, encompassing eight point five km of the 14.64 km priority corridor. The two day inspection, conducted on February 11 and 12, spanned 11 stations between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani, including key stops such as Porur Junction and Iyyapanthangal. Technical teams examined track geometry and signalling readiness alongside structural elements.

A Chennai Metro Rail release indicated that inspections focused on electrical systems, track alignment and civil infrastructure as part of the mandatory safety clearance process ahead of passenger services. CMRL has decided to prioritise extending services up to Vadapalani rather than commissioning the stretch only until Porur Junction, citing concerns about limited ridership arising from the absence of direct connectivity with the operational Phase One network. Agency teams remained on site to resolve outstanding technical observations.

With statutory checks concluding, officials expect the final certifications to follow the speed trial and the regulatory approval to allow commercial operations to commence in the weeks that follow. The prioritisation of service up to Vadapalani aims to improve early ridership and network integration before further extensions are brought into service. Authorities will issue detailed schedules once the safety clearance report is completed and regulatory sign off has been granted.

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