Chennai Metro Line 4 (Yellow Line)
As of 19 Oct 2026, Chennai Metro Line 4 (Yellow Line) is operational (since 11 Oct 2026). Latest news: 15 Oct 2026.
Chennai Metro Line 4, the Yellow Line, is a 26.1 km Phase 2 CMRL corridor from Light House to Poonamallee Bypass. Its first section, about 15 km from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani with 11 elevated stations, opened on 11 October 2026. Trains run from 7 am to 9 pm, every 10 minutes at peak, with fares of ₹10 to ₹40. The underground section to Light House is under construction.
Why it matters
Line 4 gives Chennai's western suburbs, including Poonamallee, Iyyappanthangal and Porur, their first metro link to the city centre, an alternative to the congested Arcot Road corridor. It is the first Phase 2 line to carry passengers and the first CMRL line built for driverless operation, with platform screen doors on its elevated stations. It connects with the Green Line at Vadapalani today and, once complete, will link the Blue Line at Nandanam, Line 3 at Thirumayilai and suburban rail at Kodambakkam.
Key facts
- Operator: Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL); operations and maintenance contracted to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)
- Length in service: 14.6 km of 26.1 km; 11 stations open and 16 under construction
- Status (October 2026): Partially operational. The 15 km elevated Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani section opened on 11 October 2026 with 11 stations in service. Six intermediate stations between Porur Junction and Vadapalani are still under construction and trains pass them without stopping. The 11.5 km Vadapalani to Light House section, mostly underground, is under construction.
- Cost: About ₹4,900 crore for the Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani section (Oct 2026); Phase 2 overall ₹63,246 crore (approved Oct 2024)
- Trains: Alstom Metropolis, 36 three-car trainsets (108 cars) built at Sri City, designed for driverless operation at up to 80 km/h
Chennai Metro Line 4 (Yellow Line) stations
The 27 stations below run from Light House to Poonamallee Bypass. Interchanges are listed where a station connects with another line or a railway station.
| # | Station | Type | Connects to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Light House (under construction) | Underground | |
| 2 | Kutchery Road (under construction) | Underground | |
| 3 | Thirumayilai (under construction) | Underground | Line 3 (Purple Line, under construction) / Thirumayilai MRTS station |
| 4 | Alwarpet (under construction) | Underground | |
| 5 | Bharathidasan Road (under construction) | Underground | |
| 6 | Boat Club (under construction) | Underground | |
| 7 | Nandanam (under construction) | Underground | Line 1 (Blue Line) |
| 8 | Panagal Park (under construction) | Underground | |
| 9 | Kodambakkam (under construction) | Underground | Kodambakkam suburban railway station |
| 10 | Kodambakkam Power House (under construction) | Elevated | |
| 11 | Vadapalani | Elevated | Line 2 (Green Line), via link bridge |
| 12 | Saligramam (under construction, trains pass without stopping) | Elevated | |
| 13 | Avichi School (Virugambakkam South) (under construction, trains pass without stopping) | Elevated | |
| 14 | Alwarthirunagar (under construction, trains pass without stopping) | Elevated | |
| 15 | Valasaravakkam (under construction, trains pass without stopping) | Elevated | |
| 16 | Karambakkam (under construction, trains pass without stopping) | Elevated | |
| 17 | Alapakkam (under construction, trains pass without stopping) | Elevated | |
| 18 | Porur Junction | Elevated | |
| 19 | Porur Bypass | Elevated | |
| 20 | Thelliyaragaram | Elevated | |
| 21 | Iyyappanthangal | Elevated | |
| 22 | Kattupakkam | Elevated | |
| 23 | Kumananchavadi | Elevated | |
| 24 | Karayanchavadi | Elevated | |
| 25 | Poonamallee Government Hospital | Elevated | |
| 26 | Poonamallee Bus Stand | Elevated | |
| 27 | Poonamallee Bypass | Elevated |
Sections and opening dates
| Section | Stations | km | Status | Opened or expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani | 11 | 14.6 | Operational. 11 elevated stations served; 6 intermediate stations (Alapakkam to Saligramam) under construction | 2026-10-11 |
| Vadapalani to Light House | 10 | 11.5 | Under construction (Kodambakkam Power House elevated, 9 underground stations listed by Wikipedia) | expected 2028 |
Explore more
Official source: chennaimetrorail.org
Latest updates
58 tenders tracked →Phases
| Phase | Lines | Stations | Length (km) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani | Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani | 11 | 14.6 | Operational. 11 elevated stations served; 6 intermediate stations (Alapakkam to Saligramam) under construction |
| Vadapalani to Light House | Vadapalani to Light House | 10 | 11.5 | Under construction (Kodambakkam Power House elevated, 9 underground stations listed by Wikipedia) |
Milestones
- Union Cabinet approves Chennai Metro Phase 2 (118.9 km, 128 stations, ₹63,246 crore), including the 26.1 km Light House to Poonamallee Bypass corridor
- Tunnelling begins between Light House and Thirumayilai with TBMs Eagle and Flamingo
- Safety certification trials of trains and track begin between Poonamallee Bypass and Porur Junction
- RDSO safety certification trials of rolling stock completed between Poonamallee Bypass and Porur Junction
- Last U-girder cast for the double-decker section
- CMRS inspection of the Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani section
- TBM Eagle breaks through at Thirumayilai, first breakthrough on package UG-01
- PM Narendra Modi and CM C. Joseph Vijay inaugurate Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani; passenger service from 4 pm
- Regular passenger service begins, 7 am to 9 pm
Fares
Chennai Metro Line 4 (Yellow Line) fares range from ₹10 to ₹50, set by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL); operations and maintenance contracted to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
| Distance / zone | Fare |
|---|---|
| Minimum fare | ₹10 |
| Maximum fare on Line 4 (Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani) | ₹40 |
| Poonamallee Bypass to Porur Junction | ₹30 |
| Maximum fare including Phase 1 lines | ₹50 |
Timings
Chennai Metro Line 4 (Yellow Line) service timings and frequency:
| Service | Time |
|---|---|
| First train | 07:00 |
| Last train | 21:00 from both terminals |
| Peak frequency (Mon to Sat, 08:00 to 11:00 and 17:00 to 20:00) | Every 10 minutes |
| Off-peak frequency (Mon to Sat) | Every 15 minutes |
| Sundays and holidays | Every 15 minutes, 07:00 to 21:00 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the route of Chennai Metro Line 4?
Line 4, the Yellow Line, runs 26.1 km from Light House near Marina Beach to Poonamallee Bypass. About 16 km is elevated and 10.1 km is underground. Only the Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani section is open.
When did the Poonamallee to Vadapalani metro open?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay inaugurated it on 11 October 2026. Passenger service began at 4 pm that day, and the regular timetable started on 12 October 2026.
Which stations are open on the Yellow Line?
Eleven elevated stations: Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee Bus Stand, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, Iyyappanthangal, Thelliyaragaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction and Vadapalani. Six stations between Porur Junction and Vadapalani are still under construction and are skipped.
What are the Chennai Metro Yellow Line timings?
Trains run from 7 am to 9 pm, with the last train leaving both terminals at 9 pm. From Monday to Saturday trains run every 10 minutes from 8 to 11 am and 5 to 8 pm, and every 15 minutes at other times. On Sundays and holidays they run every 15 minutes.
What is the fare from Poonamallee to Vadapalani?
CMRL's fare table charges ₹40 from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani. Fares on the line range from ₹10 to ₹40, and journeys that continue onto the Blue or Green Line cost up to ₹50.
How do passengers change to the Green Line at Vadapalani?
The new Line 4 Vadapalani station is connected to the existing Phase 1 Vadapalani station by a link bridge. Permanent entry and exit facilities at the Line 4 station are still being built.
When will Line 4 reach Light House?
The 11.5 km Vadapalani to Light House section, mostly underground, is under construction. CMRL has said Phase 2 is planned for completion by the end of 2028.
Journey Planner & Route Map
Awarded tenders & contracts
No awarded tenders or contracts recorded yet.
Ongoing tenders
| Tender | Agency | Value | Bid due | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Water Metro: CMRL floated tender for DPR along Buckingham Canal | CMRL | Open | ||
| Chennai Metro Line 3: PSD Door System Supply | CMRL | Subscribers | Subscribers | Under evaluation |
| Chennai Metro Phase 1 & 2 Expansion: Bids Invited for DPRs’ Preparation | CMRL | Subscribers | Under evaluation |
Upcoming tenders
No upcoming tenders announced yet.
Bid values, closing dates and awardees are for subscribers. See plans.