Rainwater leaks hit Poonamallee-Vadapalani metro stations ahead of launch

Newly constructed Chennai Metro Rail Phase II stations along the 14.6-kilometre Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch, including Porur Bypass, Kattupakkam, and Karayanchavadi, have experienced rainwater leaks due to design and construction flaws ahead of their upcoming inauguration. The leaks occurred during recent rainy periods, raising concerns about construction quality just as the stretch awaits its official launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The affected locations span several newly built stations, including Mullaithottam, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Porur Bypass, Kattupakkam, and Thelliyaragaram. Water leaked into station concourses, ticket issuing spaces, and equipment storage rooms. Rainwater was also reported to have reached the platforms where computers were stationed.

The Poonamallee to Vadapalani stretch via Porur has been plagued by delays since February. Although the line received final approval last month and commuters have been waiting for the official launch, these persistent leakage issues have raised questions.

A source pointed out that there was ample time from March until June to complete all the construction work properly. The source questioned why such leaks are occurring after crores of rupees were spent on constructing these buildings, comparing the situation to a newly built house where such flaws would not be accepted by the residents.

This is not the first instance of water leakage along this specific route. In April, heavy rainwater leakage was observed in some of these same stations, after which repair work had to be carried out.

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials stated that they have already started the work to plug the leaks. According to CMRL, the contractors have already been informed of the issues. Officials are currently identifying ways to ensure such leaks do not occur again, and they stated that the repair work will be completed at the earliest.