The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has announced plans to operate metro trains at six-minute intervals during peak hours on the Poonamallee-Porur stretch of its Phase II project. Services on the 9-km section of Corridor 4, connecting Poonamallee to Lighthouse via Porur, are expected to begin in January 2026.

A total of 13 three-coach trains will be deployed on this stretch, supported by around 30 train operators. While the system is designed for driverless operations, CMRL plans a gradual transition to automated trains. Currently, the Phase I and Phase I extension network spans 54 km, with 45 four-coach trains running every six minutes during peak hours. On shorter stretches like Washermanpet–Alandur, trains operate every three minutes, while longer routes such as Chennai Central–Airport and Central–St. Thomas Mount have 12-minute intervals.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), managing the 118.9-km Phase II network, has already mobilised staff and begun preparations to operate stations. Operator training and trial runs are in progress. Phase II stations will be compact, enabling quicker access to platforms, and passengers can continue using National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) and QR code tickets. The Poonamallee–Porur stretch will also feature half-height platform screen doors, a new safety enhancement on elevated stations.

CMRL is currently awaiting a regulatory approval from the Railway Board, which is essential before the project can move to the safety clearance stage. “We are closely monitoring the approval process and expect clearance soon,” a CMRL official said, indicating that the project is on track for its January 2026 launch.