Chennai, Oct 6:
Security arrangements have been intensified across Chennai ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on October 11, when he is expected to inaugurate the first operational stretch of Chennai Metro Rail’s Phase II and travel by Metro along with Chief Minister Vijay. The joint Metro journey is expected to be a key highlight of Modi’s visit.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive in Chennai from Delhi at 10.55 am on October 11. He will travel from Chennai airport to Poonamallee by helicopter. At around 11.30 am, he is expected to flag off the Metro service at Poonamallee Metro station and formally inaugurate the 14.64-km Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch.
Following the inauguration, Modi and Chief Minister Vijay are expected to travel together by Metro from Poonamallee to Porur. This will be the first government programme attended jointly by Modi and Vijay since Vijay assumed office as Chief Minister.
The Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch is part of Corridor 4, or the Yellow Line, of Chennai Metro Phase II. The 14.64-km stretch has 17 stations, with 11 stations expected to be opened initially for passenger services.
Six stations on the double-decker section between Porur Junction and Vadapalani — Alapakkam, Karambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alwarthirunagar, Saligramam and Avichi School — will initially be bypassed.
The 11 stations proposed for initial operation include Vadapalani, Porur Junction, Porur Bypass, Thelliyagaram, Kattupakkam, Kumananchavadi, Karayanchavadi, Mullai Thottam, Poonamallee and Poonamallee Bypass, along with the stations forming part of the operational stretch.
The line has completed the required testing and safety procedures. The section between Poonamallee Bypass and Porur has received the necessary safety certification, while the Porur-Vadapalani section also underwent a successful trial run. Tests covered signalling, track performance, train operations and stability, followed by inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety and the required approval.
The Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch is the first section of the Chennai Metro Phase II network to be opened for public use. The Phase II project is being implemented across three corridors covering around 118.9 km.
The opening of the stretch had been delayed despite the completion of the required works and safety procedures, with the inauguration date being linked to the Prime Minister’s availability.
The new stretch is expected to provide an important public transport link between Poonamallee, Porur and Vadapalani and help ease traffic congestion in these busy parts of Chennai.
The Prime Minister’s itinerary also includes programmes at IIT Madras. After the Metro programme and his journey to Porur, Modi is expected to travel by road to IIT Madras, where he will inaugurate the Maestro Ilaiyaraaja Music Learning and Research Centre. He is also scheduled to launch or dedicate three National Highway projects and projects of Indian Oil Corporation.
Modi is later scheduled to travel by helicopter to Vellore, where he is expected to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for several infrastructure and transport development projects, including projects connected with the airport.
In view of the Prime Minister’s visit, security arrangements have been tightened across Chennai. A review meeting was held at the State Secretariat under Chief Secretary Saikumar. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Manivasagan, Director General of Police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, Chennai Police Commissioner Amalraj and other senior police officials participated in the meeting.
The police are making elaborate security arrangements at the airport, Poonamallee, Porur, IIT Madras and other locations that the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit. Security measures are also being stepped up along the routes to be used by the Prime Minister and Chief Minister.