Chennai Metro Rail train chugs along from Porur to Vadapalani

By February, commuters from Poonamallee may be able to travel to Vadapalani on Chennai Metro Rail trains in about half-an-hour, skipping the peak hour traffic. Taking the first step in this direction, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) conducted a trial run on Sunday from Porur  Junction to Vadapalani, a distance of 5.5 km, including the double-decker stretch.

The trial run was conducted after the construction of the elevated viaduct from Porur to Vadapalani — which includes a short-yet-challenging stretch, a 4-km double-decker line from Alwarthirunagar  to Alapakkam — was completed.

The train left the Porur station around 11.15 a.m., chugged along at 15 kmph, and reached Vadapalani at 12.10 p.m. During the trial run, the speed was kept to the minimum. In the next few weeks, the train will be tested at 45 kmph-50 kmph, officials said. Sunday’s trial run came nine months after the trial run in the phase II network from Poonamallee  to Porur.

CMRL managing director M.A. Siddique said that initially, the plan was to operate services from Poonamallee to Porur by December 2025. Subsequently, the CMRL decided to tweak it and extend the services to Vadapalani. This is because commuters will be able to change trains to the phase I network at Vadapalani and travel to more localities on Metro Rail. “Trains will be operated normally between Poonamallee  to Porur with all stops. But the next stop after Porur will be Vadapalani. The stations after Porur till Power House are under construction. The work will be finished in June this year,” he said.

The CMRL had planned Grade of Automation 4 (GoA 4) operations, a system which allows for driverless train services. But, for now, it will operate with Grade of Automation 2 (GoA 2), meaning a driver will steer the train as in the Phase I network, Mr. Siddique said. The CMRL would gradually move towards driverless operations in the coming months, he added.

The CMRL received an interim speed certificate from the Railway Board last month. The final certificate will come in shortly. “We will invite the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) for a safety inspection later this month. We will need the Commissioner’s authorisation for operating passenger services. We hope to complete these processes soon and start the services by mid-February,” he added.

A plenty of work is yet to be completed at the Vadapalani Phase II station. Hence, in the initial period, commuters coming from  Poonamallee and getting down at the Vadapalani Phase II station will get off on the platform, reach the concourse, and head to the Vadapalani Phase I station on a sky-walk. They will have to swipe their tickets, enter and exit only through the Vadapalani Phase I station.

After the Union government returned the proposals for the Coimbatore  and Madurai Metro Rail systems, the CMRL prepared a justification and sent it to the Tamil Nadu government. Officials said it would be forwarded to the Centre soon.