Modi and Vijay inaugurate new Chennai Metro section

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay inaugurated a roughly 15-kilometre section of Chennai Metro Phase II on October 11, then travelled together on the new line. The Poonamallee Bypass-Vadapalani route has 11 elevated stations and was built at an estimated cost of about Rs 4,900 crore. The section is part of Corridor 4. Modi and Vijay flagged off the first train at Porur Bypass Station before boarding and travelling on the line. The route connects Poonamallee with Vadapalani, through Chennai’s western suburbs, and is expected to improve access to central areas and reduce travel times for commuters. The corridor includes double-decker sections and signalling designed to support driverless train operations in the future. The 11 stations are Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee Bus Stand, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, Iyappanthangal, Thelliyaragaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction and Vadapalani. Vijay used the inauguration to call for the Centre to approve additional transport projects, according to remarks reported at the event.