2 days ago
CMRL eyes Dec launch for Porur-Poonamallee line
Chennai: Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is targeting Dec for commissioning the 9.5-km elevated stretch between Porur Junction and Poonamallee Bypass, with full-scale testing now underway on both tracks.
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On Friday, CMRL ran the first downline trial train from Porur to Poonamallee, after earlier testing the upline in May. The route includes 10 elevated stations and is linked to the Poonamallee Depot, which will serve as the central control point for upcoming rolling stock, power supply, and safety testing.
Friday's trial was run at low speed (20kmph) for safety validation. "The same train will return on the upline at full speed today (Friday)," said CMRL managing director M A Siddique.
Speed trials will progressively scale up to 70kmph, the line's design speed. Over the next three to four months, CMRL will test all six Alstom-supplied train sets, check rolling stock performance, and begin signal system trials.
The line will be equipped for Unattended Train Operation (UTO) — driverless trains. "Initially, trains will be operated with a person onboard. Once confidence is built and systems stabilize, the operation will be fully driverless," Siddique said.
The stretch also includes the double-decker segment at Kattupakkam, where the viaduct runs above a highway — completed last month. Siddique said that completing viaduct and track works in this section posed labour mobilisation challenges but was achieved on schedule.
The newly charged Auxiliary Substation (ASS) at Poonamallee Bypass, powered by a 33kV supply from the receiving station at the depot, was also inaugurated on Friday.
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This energizes key traction and station systems for the trial runs.
Once the Porur–Poonamallee stretch opens, work will shift to the Porur–Vadapalani–Power House section and Alapakkam–Chennai Trade Centre segment, both targeted for major completion by June 2026. Meanwhile, tunnelling work from Pondy Bazaar to Kodambakkam is expected to finish by July.
