Chennai Metro Rail Phase II: Koyambedu-Alandur stretch delayed, likely to open in early 2025

The opening of the Koyambedu to Alandur stretch of Chennai Metro Rail's Phase II project has been delayed by approximately eight months. Originally scheduled to begin operations in June 2024, the stretch is now expected to be ready by early 2025, according to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials.

This section, which runs from Koyambedu to Chennai Trade Centre and onward to Alandur, is part of Corridor 5 of the Phase II project (Madhavaram to Sholinganallur). The delay adds to the longer timeline already seen in the Phase II expansion, as the first stretch from Poonamallee to Vadapalani (part of Corridor 4) has also missed its deadline and awaits inauguration.

CMRL cited a shortage of workers as the primary reason for the delay in the Koyambedu-Alandur stretch. Officials said the work has now gained momentum with an adequate workforce. The viaduct is nearly complete, and about 16 km of track has been laid. However, constructing entry and exit structures at stations remains a challenging task.

Construction of the six stations between Porur and Vadapalani — Alapakkam, Karambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alwarthirunagar, Saligramam Warehouse, and Saligramam — has also been delayed. They are expected to be ready in three months.

Regarding the Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has granted clearance, but the State government is awaiting a date from the Centre for its formal inauguration. On this stretch, trains will stop at all stations from Poonamallee to Porur, then skip six stations and stop at Vadapalani.

Once both the Koyambedu-Alandur and Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretches are operational, commuters will be able to interchange between these new lines and the existing Phase I network at Koyambedu, Vadapalani, and Alandur stations.

Officials estimate that significant civil work on the Koyambedu-Alandur stretch will be finished by October-end. After that, trial runs, signalling and telecommunication work, and safety approvals will take at least 2-3 months. The opening is therefore expected in early 2025.