Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday jointly inaugurated the Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch of Chennai Metro Phase II, bringing the two leaders together at a high profile infrastructure event in the state capital.
Built at a cost of approximately rs 4,900 crore, the nearly 15 km corridor is expected to improve connectivity between Chennai’s western suburbs and the city centre. Following the inauguration, Modi and Vijay boarded a metro train and travelled between Porur Bypass and Poonamallee Bypass stations. Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was also present at the event.
The joint appearance placed the Prime Minister and the newly installed Chief Minister at the centre of the day’s proceedings, with the metro project providing the main focus of their public engagement.
Modi Arrives in Chennai, Vijay Welcomes Him
Vijay received Modi at Chennai airport with a bouquet before accompanying him to the metro inauguration. The two leaders subsequently flagged off services on the new stretch. Reports also said Vijay presented a memento to the Prime Minister during the programme.
During the metro journey, Modi interacted with staff, while the visit highlighted the Centre’s involvement in the expansion of Chennai’s public transport infrastructure.
11 Stations Open on the New Corridor
The newly inaugurated section is part of Corridor 4 of Phase II and includes 11 elevated stations. These are Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee Bus Stand, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, Ayyappanthangal, Thelliyaragaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction and Vadapalani.
The corridor also features a 3.7 m double decker structure and advanced signalling systems designed to support driverless train operations. The new connection is expected to offer commuters an alternative to road travel and improve access across Chennai’s western neighbourhoods.
Wider Development Push Across Tamil Nadu
The metro inauguration forms part of a broader programme involving development projects worth more than rs 13,000 crore across Tamil Nadu. The programme includes highway improvements, railway infrastructure, port development and industrial investment.
Among the other projects are highway works worth around rs 3,700 crore, railway infrastructure projects exceeding rs 750 crore and a proposed rs 1,620 crore lube oil base stocks facility at Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited’s Manali refinery.
For commuters, the immediate impact will depend on service frequency, accessibility and integration with other transport options. For Modi and Vijay, the inauguration provided a shared public platform centred on a major urban infrastructure project, as Chennai moves ahead with the next phase of its metro expansion.
ALSO READ: ‘Detained For Sitting In A Park’: BJP Leader’s Daughter Caught In Delhi’s Anti SIR Protest Crackdown