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The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) plans to develop 73.4 lakh square feet of commercial space at 37 locations along its Phase-II metro corridors. This move goes beyond building only stations and aims to earn more non-ticket revenue. By using land near metro lines for commercial projects, CMRL hopes to
strengthen the metro network financially.
Idea Behind the Project
Urban planner Karthikeyan Baskar said that developing more buildings within 500 metres of metro stations can change how people travel. The main goal of transit-oriented development is to encourage more people to use public transport and reduce the number of private vehicles on roads. However, he stressed that good pedestrian facilities are necessary. Without safe, easy walkways, people may continue to use their own vehicles.
Key Areas to be Developed
CMRL has identified key areas for development, including Boat Club, Kutchery Road near Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Sholinganallur along the IT corridor, and transport hubs such as Mandaveli, Vadapalani, and Alandur.
At Kutchery Road, a four-storey integrated building is planned on a 22,000 sq ft plot. The building will have over 43,000 sq ft of space and cost around ₹16.47 crore, which will connect directly to the underground metro station. Near Boat Club, a separate four-storey commercial building with a basement is planned on an 8,200 sq ft plot, costing ₹6.59 crore. Moreover, two more similar buildings are also proposed nearby.
Business Hubs Around Metro Stations
Officials said many buildings will either be connected to station entrances or built very close to them, creating business hubs around metro stations. Phase-II is the first time CMRL is developing large commercial projects outside station areas, similar to the models used by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited.
Experts say earning non-fare revenue is important for metro projects, as ticket income alone is not enough. Proper integration, parking, and easy access will determine the success of these developments.
