Chennai Metro Phase-2: Six Vadapalani-Porur Corridor Stations Still Under Construction.

The inauguration of Chennai Metro Rail Ltd’s (CMRL) operationally ready Poonamallee Bypass-Vadapalani corridor is facing further delays, with six stations on the stretch still months away from completion.

The 14.6-km corridor, which has already received mandatory safety clearances, is awaiting an inauguration date from the Centre. However, key stations including Saligramam, Avichi School, Alwarthirunagar, Valasaravakkam, Karambakkam and Alapakkam Junction are now expected to be completed only by September-end, according to CMRL officials.

The stations were originally scheduled to be ready by June. CMRL had initially planned to open the Poonamallee Bypass-Porur section first, with trains bypassing these stations before terminating at Vadapalani. Officials later expected the pending works to be completed before the corridor’s inauguration, but the timeline has slipped.

"Right now, our target is September-end. So by October or November we could open these stations after inspections by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety," a CMRL official said.

The official added that construction activity could face further constraints after the corridor becomes operational, as restrictions will be imposed on worker movement near platforms and Corridor-5 at the double-decker stations during train operations.

Roof installation at the four double-decker stations — Alwarthirunagar, Valasaravakkam, Karambakkam and Alapakkam Junction — remains a major challenge. The work may require power shutdowns due to overhead electrical lines obstructing installation activities.

While essential facilities such as ticketing areas, signalling rooms, telecommunications rooms, UPS rooms and electrical substations have been completed, finishing works including cladding, roofing, station entry and exit structures, toilet facilities and granite flooring are still in progress.

Earlier, CMRL officials had attributed delays in final-stage construction to labour shortages after several workers returned to their hometowns ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

The four double-decker stations are expected to play a crucial role in Chennai Metro’s Phase-2 network, serving as interchange points between Corridor-4 (Lighthouse-Poonamallee Bypass) and Corridor-5 (Madhavaram-Sholinganallur).

For commuters, the delay means continued reliance on congested roads such as Arcot Road despite the metro infrastructure being largely ready.

"How long can governments take to decide an inauguration date? It is the public that suffers because of such delays," said K Ramesh, a Porur resident who works in Vadapalani.