Poonamallee–Porur Metro Corridor Ready but Inauguration Still Awaited

The Poonamallee–Porur metro rail corridor, part of Chennai Metro Rail's Phase 2 project, is fully ready for public service. Despite receiving final approval from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety more than a month ago, the stretch has yet to be opened to commuters.

Hundreds of employees are maintaining the stations along this corridor while awaiting the inauguration ceremony, and electricity is being consumed every day for various operational needs. Commuters are questioning why the corridor remains shut, pointing out that crores of taxpayer money are being spent to maintain an asset that is already ready for use.

Maintenance Costs Mounting

Around 350 to 400 employees have been deployed to maintain metro stations from Poonamallee through Porur to Vadapalani station. Air conditioning units are running in various rooms and evening lights are switched on daily — a situation that has continued for the past three months.

Metro Rail officials say this ongoing maintenance is unavoidable, as stations cannot simply be switched on the day before inauguration — halting maintenance would cause the facilities to deteriorate. The contractor has been maintaining the stations since April, and sources indicate that the company is set to receive several crores of rupees soon for these services, even though the line has not yet opened to the public.

Inauguration Expected Soon

A resident of Ayyappanthangal expressed frustration: "Taxpayers' money is being wasted. First, officials kept extending deadlines saying construction wasn't complete. Now the stations are ready, but still not open. In the end, it is the commuters who suffer without access to public transport."

Officials stated that the central government has been informed that the corridor is ready for service and all details have been submitted. They expressed hope that the inauguration ceremony would take place soon.