CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro’s Phase 2 project is about to reach an important milestone next month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to open the 14.6 km Vadapalani-Poonamallee Bypass Metro stretch, which will cut travel time for commuters in western Chennai.
According to The New Indian Express Report, The Prime Minister is expected to visit Tamil Nadu in the second or third week of July to inaugurate the Vadapalani-Poonamallee Bypass (Nazarethpet) Metro Rail section. He is also expected to dedicate several completed railway projects to the nation and lay the foundation for two National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) projects during his visit. The 14.6 km stretch is part of Chennai Metro Phase 2’s Corridor 4. It is a 26.1 km route that will connect Lighthouse near Marina Beach with Poonamallee Bypass.
Officials said Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has received all the clearances which are needed to start operations on this new section. TNIE also mentioned in their report that the Tamil Nadu government has informed the Prime Minister’s Office about the completion of the corridor and now they are waiting for confirmation of the inauguration date. An official mentioned that the Prime Minister may come to the state in the second or third week of July. This visit could happen after a possible reshuffle in the Union Cabinet, which is expected in the first week of the month.
Travel time to reduce sharply
The new metro line will improve connectivity between Poonamallee and Vadapalani. Travel time between these sections is also expected to drop from around 90 minutes to about 30 minutes. The corridor will also connect with the existing Green Line at Vadapalani. The Green Line currently runs between Chennai Central and St Thomas Mount.
In the first phase, trains starting from Poonamallee Bypass will stop at all 10 stations up to Porur. After Porur, trains will head directly to Vadapalani and will not stop at the following six stations:
- Alapakkam
- Karambakkam
- Valasaravakkam
- Alwarthirunagar
- Saligramam Warehouse
- Saligramam
Link to Kuthambakkam Bus Terminus
The opening of the metro corridor is important for another major transport project in the region. The Tamil Nadu government had also planned to launch the Kuthambakkam mofussil bus terminus near Thirumazhisai this year in February. But, authorities postponed the opening because metro work between Vadapalani and Porur is still underway. The bus terminus is about 6.5 km from the Poonamallee Bypass Metro station.
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