Chennai Metro Rail took a major step forward on Monday by successfully conducting a trial run of a driverless train along a 10-kilometre stretch between Poonamallee and Porur.
This milestone is part of the city’s expansive Phase II metro project and signals progress toward the line’s public opening, expected by December.
Previously, driverless train testing was limited to a shorter 3 km segment ending at Mullai Thottam. The recent extended trial marks a key development in automation and connectivity. "Today's extended testing is a major milestone in the Phase II project," said M. A. Siddique, Managing Director of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).
Currently, Chennai’s operational metro network spans 54.1 kilometres. Phase II is a ₹63,246 crore initiative that will add another 118.9 kilometres to the system, connecting areas such as Madhavaram, Light House, Sholinganallur, Siruseri, and Poonamallee. This phase will include 76.3 km of elevated tracks and 42.6 km of underground routes, making it a critical upgrade for the city’s infrastructure.
Phase I of the Chennai Metro already links major locations like the Airport, Chennai Central, St. Thomas Mount, and Wimco Nagar, with monthly ridership reaching 86.6 lakh.
Once completed, Phase II is expected to significantly ease commutes for residents in crowded urban pockets and boost connectivity along the IT Corridor. Tech workers and entrepreneurs alike have expressed optimism about the improved travel time and convenience.
Easwaran Ram, a software engineer working in Porur, said, “When I visited Japan, I saw how well the metro works in Tokyo. I’m excited to take the metro here too, especially for airport travel.”
Similarly, Antony, an entrepreneur commuting along the IT corridor, shared, “It took me 90 minutes to drive just over 21 km this morning. The metro will definitely be a faster, more reliable alternative.”