Chennai Metro Rail Phase II Update: Porur and Lighthouse Corridor Inauguration Delayed to 2026

The Chennai Metro Rail Phase II project, which includes the Porur to Lighthouse corridor, has been facing some delays, pushing the projected inauguration date to mid-2026. The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) had set an ambitious target of launching the fully elevated line from Poonamallee to Lighthouse (Corridor 4) by the end of 2025. However, due to the challenges faced during the acquisition of land and the construction of Porur-Alwarthirunagar as a double-decker road, the timeline has been pushed back.

The expansion of Metro Phase II aims to have a network length of 118.9 km with 128 stations, comprising three corridors – Corridor-3 from Madhavaram to SIPCOT (45.8 km), Corridor-4 from Lighthouse to Poonamalle Bypass (26.1 km), and Corridor-5 from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur (47 km). The estimated cost of the project is Rs 63,246 crore.

Delay in Opening of Porur to Lighthouse Corridor

According to CMRL officials, only the stretch from Poonamallee to Porur is expected to open by December 2025. However, the stretch from Porur to Lighthouse, scheduled for completion in early 2026, is experiencing a delay of five to six months.

“This is one of the most time-consuming and challenging portions to be developed for the Phase II project,” said a CMRL official, as reported by Times Now.

The main reason for the delay is the time taken to acquire land, which took almost a year to complete. Although land acquisition was finished three months ago, the CMRL officials are still in talks with the contractor to expedite the project and reduce the delay for opening the stretch by mid-2026.

Challenges Faced During Construction

The development of Porur-Alwarthirunagar as a double-decker length road presents another significant challenge for the project. The Kumananchavadi and Karayanchavadi stations are also facing completion issues as the development is in progress between Poonamallee and Porur. Although there were land-related problems in Kumananchavadi and Karayanchavadi, they have been resolved, and both stations are expected to open on time.

Conclusion

The Chennai Metro Rail Phase II project is an ambitious plan to expand the city’s metro rail network, connecting major areas with the rest of the city. While the delay in the inauguration of the Porur to Lighthouse corridor is unfortunate, the CMRL is working hard to ensure the project’s timely completion. With the completion of this project, the city’s transportation infrastructure will receive a much-needed boost, providing residents with a convenient, safe, and eco-friendly mode of transportation.