Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday jointly opened the first stretch of Chennai Metro Rail's Phase 2 network, flagging off the inaugural train on the Poonamallee–Vadapalani corridor and travelling together on the first ride.
The new section runs about 15 km with 11 elevated stations and forms part of Corridor 4 of the Phase 2 project. It has been built at a cost of around Rs 4,900 crore, according to reports. Mr. Modi and Mr. Vijay boarded the inaugural service along the route in what was presented as a shared public moment between the Centre and the state on a project delivered across multiple levels of governance.
Before boarding, the Prime Minister purchased his ticket by paying through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), news agency IANS reported. The visit was Mr. Modi's first to Chennai since the Vijay government assumed office in Tamil Nadu.
Security and commuter rollout
In view of the Prime Minister's visit, the Greater Chennai Police put in place a five-tier security arrangement involving 15,000 officers and personnel, and declared areas along the route — including Meenambakkam, Guindy, Kotturpuram, Porur and Nandambakkam — as red zones where drone flying was banned.
The Hindu reported that commuters would be allowed onto the new stretch once Sunday's inaugural events concluded, with trains initially running from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fifteen trains are to operate on the corridor, with a train every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes at other times.
A six-year project
Work on the 118.9-km Phase 2 network began nearly six years ago, and the opening comes after a delay of about ten months. The state government had accorded in-principle approval for the project in January 2019, and the foundation stone was laid by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in November 2020.
During the visit, the Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a series of infrastructure and development projects across Tamil Nadu covering highways, railways, ports, energy and scientific research.
Sources:
News18: PM Modi, CM Vijay Take Chennai Metro Ride After Phase II Inauguration
The Hindu: PM Modi to Launch Chennai Metro Rail Phase 2, to Share Ride With Tamil Nadu CM Vijay
ET Now: PM Modi, CM Vijay Inaugurate Rs 4,900-Crore Chennai Metro Phase II Stretch With 11 Stations
The new section runs about 15 km with 11 elevated stations and forms part of Corridor 4 of the Phase 2 project. It has been built at a cost of around Rs 4,900 crore, according to reports. Mr. Modi and Mr. Vijay boarded the inaugural service along the route in what was presented as a shared public moment between the Centre and the state on a project delivered across multiple levels of governance.
Before boarding, the Prime Minister purchased his ticket by paying through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), news agency IANS reported. The visit was Mr. Modi's first to Chennai since the Vijay government assumed office in Tamil Nadu.
Security and commuter rollout
In view of the Prime Minister's visit, the Greater Chennai Police put in place a five-tier security arrangement involving 15,000 officers and personnel, and declared areas along the route — including Meenambakkam, Guindy, Kotturpuram, Porur and Nandambakkam — as red zones where drone flying was banned.
The Hindu reported that commuters would be allowed onto the new stretch once Sunday's inaugural events concluded, with trains initially running from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fifteen trains are to operate on the corridor, with a train every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes at other times.
A six-year project
Work on the 118.9-km Phase 2 network began nearly six years ago, and the opening comes after a delay of about ten months. The state government had accorded in-principle approval for the project in January 2019, and the foundation stone was laid by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in November 2020.
During the visit, the Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a series of infrastructure and development projects across Tamil Nadu covering highways, railways, ports, energy and scientific research.
Sources:
News18: PM Modi, CM Vijay Take Chennai Metro Ride After Phase II Inauguration
The Hindu: PM Modi to Launch Chennai Metro Rail Phase 2, to Share Ride With Tamil Nadu CM Vijay
ET Now: PM Modi, CM Vijay Inaugurate Rs 4,900-Crore Chennai Metro Phase II Stretch With 11 Stations
