CHENNAI: The first metro rail trial run on the 3 km stretch between Mullaithottam and Poonamallee on Thursday evening was disrupted due to a technical glitch caused by a short circuit.
The train, which started from the Poonamallee depot, encountered issues after travelling 1.2 km, resulting in sparks from the short circuit.
"We will resume the trial run at 10 pm after rectifying the technical issue. The trial is ongoing, and top officials, including Chennai Metro Rail's Managing Director, are present to ensure it proceeds as planned," an official stated.
According to Chennai Metro Rail officials, after the initial trial between Mullaithottam and Poonamallee, testing will be extended to Porur.
Chief Minister M. K. Stalin previously announced that the nine-kilometre metro stretch from Poonamallee to Porur, which includes 10 stations, is scheduled for inauguration by December 2025. This section is part of Corridor-4, which spans 26.1 km from Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass.
Chennai Metro's ambitious Phase II expansion will cover a total of 118.9 km, featuring 128 stations across three corridors. It consists of Corridor-3 From Madhavaram to SIPCOT (45.8 Km), Corridor-4 From Lighthouse to Poonamalle Bypass (26.1 Km), Corridor-5 From Madhavaram to Sholinganallur (47.0 Km).
Once the Poonamallee to Porur section becomes operational, the next 8 km stretch—from Porur to Kodambakkam Power House—is expected to open by June 2026. The entire Phase II project is scheduled for completion by December 2027.
This expansion is set to significantly enhance Chennai’s public transport network, making commuting more efficient and accessible for residents.