Chennai Metro Rail Completes Grade Separator on Corridor 4 of Phase II Project

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) on Monday announced the completion of grade separator work between Mullaithottam and Karayanchavadi Stations in its Phase II expansion. This corridor has a length of 26.1 km, extending from Light House station to Poonamallee depot. The completion is part of CMRL’s plans to accelerate civil construction works ahead of the initial launch of Phase II on Poonamallee depot- Porur Junction stretch expected in December.

CMRL has divided the construction of grade separators into different stretches to reduce traffic disruption. The most recent segment, completed Saturday, is a critical advance in alleviating congestion and improving connectivity along this corridor.

“In a significant milestone during the construction, a motor trolley was transported from the Poonamallee depot to the starting location at Mullaithottam station. A Road-cum-Rail Vehicle (RRV), required for Overhead Equipment (OHE) works, had been transported to the area. These will help to drive the progress of the project, allowing the other works to be completed in time.

The first stage of the corridor will comprise 10 stations, including Poonamallee Bypass Metro, Poonamallee Metro, Mullaithottam Metro, Karayanchavadi Metro, Kumananchavadi Metro, Kattupakkam Metro, Iyyappanthangal Metro, Thelliyaragaram Metro, Porur Bypass Metro, and Porur Junction Metro.

Trial runs would be initiated once the main construction and installations are finalized, according to CMRL officials. While the straight portions of the track will see the trains tested at a maximum speed of 90 kmph, speeds on the Porur curve will be limited to 45-50 kmph. The average commercial speed of trains operating in Phase II is 35 kmph.

The completion of the grade separator in the requisite duration is an encouraging sign of CMRL’s dedication to improving urban transit and curbing traffic congestion in Chennai. With this stretch operational within its range of mutual distance as the city looks forward to the operational launch soon, the Metro expansion is thus set to boost daily traveling woes for the citizens.