Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is targeting a trial run in November for the Koyambedu- Chennai Trade Centre stretch, with tests expected to continue for about four months before commercial operations commence. Uncertainty remains over the opening of the Vadapalani-Poonamallee section as there is no confirmation from the Prime Minister's Office on an inauguration date. Station entry and exit works on the trade centre stretch are scheduled for completion by November.\n\nT Archunan, director (projects) of CMRL, said that nearly 90 per cent of the track work on the almost 26 km Koyambedu-Chennai Trade Centre section has been completed. He indicated plans to complete the remaining track works in the next 10 days and that the board is discussing extending operations to Alandur. About one and a half km of track work remains, including 300 metres on the double-decker section, around 150 metres at Koyambedu station and additional work in the Mugalivakkam section. Completing the Alandur-Chennai Trade Centre connection, a three point six km parcel largely along Butt Road through a densely built corridor, could take another 45 to 60 days.\n\nCMRL is preparing to operate driverless trains on the stretch and has already undertaken trials to gain operational experience, with the necessary software installed on the trains. Trial operations will begin only after traction work, understood to mean electrification, is completed and signalling trials are carried out. Officials expect traction work to take about another month before signalling tests commence.\n\nWhile no firm opening date was provided, officials indicated that the Koyambedu-Alandur section is unlikely to open before next year and could be commissioned in the first quarter depending on the pace of remaining works and approvals. The authorities believe trial runs for the Koyambedu-Chennai Trade Centre stretch could begin in November, subject to completion of outstanding tasks. The 14.6 km Vadapalani-Poonamallee section remains without a confirmed inauguration date and may be opened along with other metro projects that are ready for commissioning.