As part of the Chennai Metro Rail`s ongoing Phase II project, all stations are designed to have two entry/exit points for commuter convenience, except for the Porur Bypass station, which will feature only one. This decision is due to the presence of Porur Lake on the opposite side of the station, according to officials from Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).
The Porur Bypass station is located on Mount Poonamallee Road and will have its single entry/exit point on the side heading towards Poonamallee from Porur. "Usually, we build entry/exit points on both sides of the road to ensure easy access for commuters. However, the lake’s location restricts this possibility here," a CMRL official stated.
Land Acquisition Challenges at Mullaithottam Station
Similarly, the Mullaithottam station will initially have only one entry/exit point due to ongoing land acquisition issues. CMRL officials have assured that once the land is acquired, a second entry/exit will be constructed at this station.
Phase II Project Details
In the 45-km Phase I of Chennai Metro Rail, most stations were equipped with four entry/exit points. However, stations like Alandur, Nanganallur, and Chennai Airport also have only one entry/exit point.
The ₹63,246-crore Phase II project covers 118.9 km across three corridors. The Porur Bypass station is part of Corridor 4, which spans 26.1 km from Poonamallee to Light House. Train operations between Poonamallee and Porur are expected to commence by late next year. This section will be an elevated stretch.
Work on the other two corridors, Corridor 3 (Madhavaram to SIPCOT covering 45.4 km) and Corridor 5 (Madhavaram to Sholinganallur spanning 44.6 km), is progressing at various stages of construction.
The viaduct work between Poonamallee and Porur has faced delays, with station construction in this area lagging behind, according to sources. However, efforts are being intensified to meet the project’s deadlines and ensure smooth commuter access upon completion.