Speed trial postponed, Chennai Phase II metro timeline now uncertain

Chennai: Will the first Phase II metro line from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani open by the end of Feb as planned? The mandatory final speed trial to test the signalling system, to be conducted as part of the inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), was postponed to the third week of Feb, raising questions about timelines of Chennai Metro Rail Limited's (CMRL) Phase II.Sources said the CMRS, who initially scheduled a three-day inspection, cut short his visit to two days as CMRL did not yet obtain the required clearances for the signalling system, a critical component for train operations.
According to sources, the signalling system must undergo two levels of independent safety assessment. The first involves certification of the system installed by the manufacturer or contractor through an independent expert. This must be followed by a second approval from another independent assessor appointed by CMRL before speed trials can be conducted. With barely two weeks left for the planned commissioning of the line, CMRL officials said the necessary approvals would be secured on time. "External experts gave feedback, and we are discussing with them," an official said.Earlier during the two-day inspection, the CMRS reviewed stations along the stretch and examined electrical systems, tracks, rolling stock, viaducts and other civil works.The 15-km Poonamallee Bypass–Vadapalani stretch is part of the 26.1km Corridor-4 (Lighthouse–Poonamallee Bypass). Once opened, the line will initially serve 11 stations, with trains bypassing six stations beyond Porur Junction and terminating at Vadapalani for connectivity to the Phase I network. Phase II spans 116.1km across three corridors and is expected to be completed in stages by Dec 2028.