Tamil Nadu CM Vijay takes maiden Metro Rail ride with public, reviews phase-II project

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay took a ride in Chennai Metro Rail to inspect ongoing works under the phase-II network. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam With countless mobiles up in the air for a quick selfie, whistles and cheer piercing through the air, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay took his first Chennai Metro Rail ride in the Blue Line on Wednesday (July 29, 2026).At the Government Estate and Nandanam Metro stations, Kathipara Junction, atop the roof of the buildings between Poonamallee and Porur, a swarm of passengers and fans stood at various vantage points eager to get a glimpse, capture a photo, video and quickly post a reel.Around 3 p.m., Mr. Vijay, who arrived at the Government Estate Metro Rail station, got a paper QR ticket and boarded a train to Nandanam. While a few managed to take a selfie and interact with him, many surged ahead to the first coach, stretched out their mobiles and vied to capture a shot of Mr. Vijay. Commuters waiting to catch a glimpse of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at Nandhanam Metro Rail station on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam After alighting at Nandanam Metro Rail station, he visited the Operational Control Centre (OCC) where the train services of the phase II network will be monitored and was briefed about the network.Subsequently, he headed to the Kathipara Junction and went atop one of the tallest pillars coming up for the phase II network above the clover-leaf interchange via a temporary construction elevator (construction hoist).By early next year, commuters will travel on this viaduct over the cloverleaf interchange, which is part of the Koyambedu - Alandur stretch of the phase II network. Sources said he was impressed with the construction over the clover-leaf interchange and enquired about the timelines of the phase II project.Finally, he travelled in the driverless train between Poonamallee and Porur stretch, a part of the phase II network which is awaiting inauguration. Published - July 29, 2026 08:16 pm IST