Metro trains now run between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani, a stretch of about 15 km opened on 11 October 2026 as the first working section of Chennai Metro’s Phase 2. Eleven stations are open. Six more between Porur and Vadapalani are not yet ready, so for now trains run past those sites without stopping.
Regular service began on Monday, 12 October, running from 7 am to 9 pm, DT Next reported. For people living along Mount-Poonamallee Road and Arcot Road, this is a direct rail link to the existing Green Line at Vadapalani. Here is what is open, where you can park and what is still missing.
Stations open now
From the western end, the stations in service are listed below, with parking as given in CMRL’s station parking list, effective 11 October 2026.
| Station | Two-wheeler parking | Car parking |
|---|---|---|
| Poonamallee Bypass | Yes | Yes |
| Poonamallee Bus Stand | No | No |
| Poonamallee Government Hospital | Yes | Yes |
| Karayanchavadi | Yes | No |
| Kumananchavadi | Yes | No |
| Kattupakkam | Yes | Yes |
| Iyyappanthangal | Yes | No |
| Thelliyaragaram | Yes | Yes |
| Porur Bypass | No | No |
| Porur Junction | Yes | No |
| Vadapalani | Yes | No |
Charges are in CMRL’s parking tariff document, and a live dashboard on the same page shows available slots. If you plan to drive to the metro, Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Kattupakkam and Thelliyaragaram have car parking. At Porur, only two-wheeler parking is listed at the junction station.
Stations still to open
The six stations not yet in service are Alapakkam Junction, Karambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alwarthirunagar, Avichi School and Saligramam. In July, CMRL officials expected them to be finished towards the end of September, after which the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety must inspect them, Swarajya reported, citing the Times of India. No opening date had been announced by mid-October. Residents of Valasaravakkam, Virugambakkam and Saligramam still need to reach Porur or Vadapalani for now.
Timings and frequency
According to DT Next’s opening-day report:
- Service runs from 7 am, with the last trains leaving Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani at 9 pm.
- Monday to Saturday, trains come every 10 minutes in the peaks, 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm.
- At other times, and all day on Sundays and public holidays, trains come every 15 minutes.
These hours are shorter than on the Phase 1 lines, so check before planning a late trip. CMRL posts terminal first and last train times as a PDF on its timetable page, last updated on 13 October 2026, and that is the authoritative version if hours are extended.
Fares and changing at Vadapalani
Fares on the stretch range from Rs 10, from Poonamallee Bypass to Poonamallee Bus Stand, to Rs 40, from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani, DT Next reported before the launch, citing CMRL. CMRL publishes the full chart on its fare page, with a discounted fare chart alongside. Use its fare calculator for journeys that continue onto the older lines.
At Vadapalani you can change to the Green Line towards Koyambedu, Central or Alandur. For the airport, change again at Alandur to the Blue Line.
Feeder connections
This is the gap residents should know about. CMRL’s Metro Connect page lists MTC minibus feeder routes only from Phase 1 stations such as Koyambedu, Alandur, Guindy and the airport. It does not list feeders for the new stations. Poonamallee Bus Stand station is beside the bus terminus, which is the easiest bus link. For other options, ask at the station or call CMRL’s 24-hour helpline, 1860-425-1515 (women’s helpline 155370).
The wider Phase 2 picture
This stretch is part of Corridor 4, which will eventually run 26.1 km from Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass with 30 stations, 18 elevated and 12 underground, according to CMRL’s project status page. The section east of Vadapalani towards Lighthouse is still under construction, and CMRL lists road diversions for it. Across all three Phase 2 corridors, the network is planned at 118.9 km with 128 stations.
The trains and signalling are built for driverless operation, with platform screen doors at stations. The existing network already handles heavy use: CMRL recorded over one crore passenger trips in September 2026, before this stretch opened.
What it means if you live nearby
- Commuting: trips from Porur and Poonamallee to Vadapalani and beyond can avoid Arcot Road and Mount-Poonamallee Road traffic.
- Construction: work continues on the unopened stations and on the corridor towards Lighthouse.
- Before buying near a station: look at actual walking distance, footpaths and parking rather than brochure claims.
Quick answers
Does the train stop at Valasaravakkam or Saligramam?
Not yet. Six stations between Porur and Vadapalani will open later.
What are the timings?
Trains run from 7 am, with the last trains at 9 pm, every 10 minutes in weekday peaks and every 15 minutes otherwise.
What is the fare from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani?
Rs 40, the maximum on the stretch, as reported before launch. Confirm on CMRL’s fare table.
Where can I park a car?
Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Kattupakkam and Thelliyaragaram.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Parking facility at stations, w.e.f. 11 October 2026 (Chennai Metro Rail Limited)
- Parking facility and tariff (Chennai Metro Rail Limited)
- Metro Connect feeder service (Chennai Metro Rail Limited)
- CMRL fare table (Chennai Metro Rail Limited)
- Time table (Chennai Metro Rail Limited)
- Project status, Phase II (Chennai Metro Rail Limited)
- Vadapalani-Poonamallee Metro: 10 key features, station list and train timings (DT Next, Oct 2026)
- Poonamallee-Vadapalani Metro fare to start at Rs 10, maximum Rs 40 (DT Next, Oct 2026)
- Six stations on Chennai Metro’s Poonamallee-Vadapalani corridor remain incomplete (Swarajya, citing TOI, Jul 2026)
