Chennai Metro Phase 2’s Trial Runs Begin from Poonamallee Depot
Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) this Wednesday officially started trial runs (train testing) on Chennai Metro’s 26.1 km Line-4 which will connect Light House – Poonamallee Bypass.
CMRL operated one of their 3-coach Alstom Metropolis train-sets out of Poonamallee Depot to Mullaithottam Station in western Chennai, covering a distance of roughly 540m on the Poonamallee Depot’s depot-line and 2 km on the main-line.
This exciting development for 116.1 km Chennai Metro Phase 2 project comes roughly 3 weeks after CMRL ran a trolley down the tracks with its management on board. This section comprises of 3 metro stations at Poonamallee Depot, Poonamallee Bus Terminus and Mullaithottam.
Its viaduct and stations were built by HCC – KEC JV (Package C4-ECV02), tracks were installed by IRCON International (C4-TRK-01), and its electrification system was installed by Siemens (C4-PSOHE-09).
Alstom Transport has so far supplied CMRL with 3 out of 36 trains at Poonamallee Depot as part of rolling stock Package ARE03A awarded for 26 trains in July 2022. A follow-up order for 10 additional 10 trains was signed in November 2023.
Train testing was supposed to begin around 5 pm but could only begin at 11:30 pm due to technical glitches with the OHE system. The 1st test run was conducted at a low speed of 5 kmph with a primary goal to check for Schedule of Dimensions (SOD) clearances and observe the train’s interaction with the civil structure to ensure there are no physical obstructions along the way.
In the coming months, CMRL will be extending testing all the way to Porur on the eastern-end of HCC – KEC JV’s Package C4-ECV02.
This will be the first section of Phase 2 to become operational and will comprise of 10 stations at Porur Chennai Bypass Crossing, Ramachandra Hospital, Iyyapanthangal Bus Depot, Katupakkam, Kumananchavadi, Karayanchavadi, Mullai Thottam, Poonamallee Bus Terminus and Poonamallee Bypass
A cool video posted by CMRL can be viewed here.
In the coming weeks various systems like signaling & train control and telecommunication will be tested. The train’s response to being operated at different speeds & braking will be monitored along with the behavior of the track system.
CMRL plans to operationalize the Poonamalee Depot – Porur section by year-end and its final U-girder was launched earlier this month, but I reckon we’ll see it opening no sooner than Q1 2026 given the quantum of pending station work and system testing required.
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– TMRG
Any idea when the sections of Corridor 3 and 5 could open?
Only by 2027
Union government did not co-operate or released its share on time, which delayed the project.chances are bright this line may be opened to public by end of 2025.
We are residing at Poonamallee, the work is not completed yet, without completions how can they begin.For past four years they are speaking for the road extention still they have not finalised. Heavy traffic from Poonamallee to kummanachavadi also via porur due to metro rail work.
Dear Sir
For your effort of working through the metro line from poonamalee bypass to light house. Which will be a greatest support for all the passengers. For this journey I am spending 6 hours of journey time just for travelling. You can imagine the tiredness which the passengers go through. So I thank and pray that you finish the work as early as possible from now. Thankful to all who are involved in the great work.
Metro rail will provide free service for 10 years for the sufferings caused to the public due to digging of road and causing traffic problems.
Respected Sir,
Youngest Advocate of India to hold Honorary post and National topper in Academics and Law Practice Smt.V.NaliniDevi requests for point to point train or bus or tram cars from (1)Ayanavaram,Battachari Street to Bharath Institute of Law,Thiruvanchery Tambaram. AND (2) Thiruvallur J.N.Road to Bharath Institute of Law , Thiruvanchery, Tambaram.