Chennai Metro: Stalin Sets February Deadline for Poonamallee–Vadapalani Metro Stretch

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday pressed officials to fast-track the Poonamallee-Vadapalani corridor of the Chennai Metro's Phase II, setting a deadline of February for its completion.

The directive came during a high-level review of flagship development initiatives, where the Chief Minister assessed progress on 27 major schemes classified under the government's "iconic projects" category, The New Indian Express reported.

According to an official release, the number of schemes designated as iconic has expanded significantly-from 155 earlier to 288 projects spread across 24 departments. Together, these initiatives represent an investment of nearly ₹3.17 lakh crore, underscoring the scale of the state's infrastructure and welfare ambitions. Of these, 85 projects have already been completed and opened for public use, while the rest are advancing through different stages of implementation.

At the meeting, Stalin examined the status of 27 schemes worth ₹87,941 crore and instructed department secretaries to ensure their completion by January 2026. The review covered a wide range of sectors, from transport and housing to water supply and urban development, reflecting the government's focus on integrated growth.

Focus on Water and Urban Infrastructure

Among the projects discussed were integrated drinking water supply schemes in districts including Sivaganga, Madurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul, Virudhunagar and Thoothukudi. These initiatives, overseen by the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, aim to strengthen potable water availability in both urban and semi-urban regions.

The Chief Minister also reviewed development works at Vandiyur Lake in Madurai, a project intended to enhance ecological balance and improve civic amenities around the waterbody.

Transport and Connectivity Projects

Urban mobility featured prominently in the discussions. Stalin assessed progress on the construction of new bus stands at Kuthambakkam and Chengalpattu, both designed to ease congestion and improve passenger facilities. He also examined the ongoing work on a pedestrian skywalk near the Kilambakkam bus terminus, which will allow safe crossing over the busy highway and streamline commuter movement.

The Metro Rail project, however, remained the centrepiece of the review. The Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch is seen as a crucial link in Chennai's expanding rapid transit network, promising to reduce travel time and ease traffic pressure in the western parts of the city. Stalin's February deadline reflects the urgency to deliver visible progress on one of the state's most high-profile infrastructure undertakings.

Leadership Presence

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, and senior officials from six departments. Their presence highlighted the government's intent to maintain close oversight and coordination across ministries to ensure timely delivery of projects.

By setting firm timelines and expanding the scope of "iconic projects," the Tamil Nadu government is signalling its commitment to accelerate infrastructure growth while addressing essential civic needs. The push for completion of the Metro stretch and other schemes is expected to bring tangible benefits to citizens in the coming months.