Chennai Metro misses deadline for Arcot Road stations along the crucial Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch of the Phase II network. Specifically, nearly ten months past the original target, six stations face operational delays until at least March 2027. Consequently, thousands of commuters in Alapakkam, Virugambakkam, Valasaravakkam, and Saligramam remain unable to board trains closer to home despite active tracks running above Arcot Road.
Safety authorization extension and double-decker corridor hurdles
Owing to the delay, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) must request an extension for its provisional authorization from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). The CRS previously granted provisional authorization for the Porur-Vadapalani stretch through October 31, 2026, restricting train operations to manual mode at 40 kmph.
Additionally, officials encountered severe labour shortages between March and June 2026. Furthermore, constructing platforms and elevated concourses along the double-decker alignment—where Corridor 4 and Corridor 5 run parallelly—presented complex engineering challenges.
| Metro Parameter | Porur-Vadapalani Project Details |
| Delayed Stations (6 Units) | Alapakkam, Karambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alwarthirunagar, Saligramam Warehouse & Saligramam |
| Current Progress Rate | 95% platform work completed |
| Revised Construction Target | January 2027 |
| Signalling Testing Target | March 2027 (Sources suggest potential further push) |
| Provisional CRS Deadline | October 31, 2026 (Extension request required) |
Revised completion timelines and ongoing signalling installation
Engineers currently aim to complete civil construction, concourse builds, and entry/exit structures by January 2027. However, system integration and complex signalling work require at least two additional months of testing.
Therefore, as Chennai Metro misses deadline for Arcot Road stations, internal sources warn that completing signalling work by March 2027 remains extremely tight. Ultimately, regular public operations may face further schedule adjustments if safety testing encounters procedural delays.
