Track-Laying Begins on Key Metro Stretch Between Porur and Kodambakkam

Laying of tracks has begun on the Porur Junction–Kodambakkam section, a critical 6.5-km stretch of Chennai Metro Rail’s Phase II Corridor 4 connecting Light House to Poonamallee.

This 9-km stretch from Vadapalani to Saligramam is pivotal to completing the 26.1-km Corridor 4. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) released a statement that the corridor is being built in two phases. Poonamallee–Porur of 9.1 km would be commissioned by December 2025, and Porur–Kodambakkam would be completed by July 2026.

Track-laying units will put in place a total of 13 km of track for the way and back line between Porur and Kodambakkam. Planned stations on this elevated line are Alapakkam, Karambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alwarthirunagar, Saligramam Warehouse, Saligramam, Vadapalani, and Kodambakkam Power House.

Construction on this section has been slower because of engineering issues. A 4-km double-decker viaduct from Alapakkam to Alwarthirunagar has presented major construction challenges. “Narrowing of the road and intricacies involved in constructing double-decker tracks have pushed the deadline back,” a project official confirmed. The erection of girders utilized for viaduct construction can only be conducted at night, further delaying timelines.

Despite these challenges, track-laying has begun at the Saligramam-Vadapalani section. The work will go on to cover other sections in stages, such as Alapakkam and Karambakkam. “After the launching girder is removed at a particular point, the track-laying crew takes over,” an official close to the project said, putting the entire stretch at around four to five months.

In the meantime, trial runs have been made between Porur and Poonamallee on the return track. CMRL hopes to complete laying the return line for this section by the end of May.

The Kodambakkam–Porur line is likely to de-clog traffic considerably and enhance east-west connectivity in Chennai once it starts running.