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The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has started a project to improve the appearance of its Metro stations. As part of this initiative, the agency has invited bids for internal and external painting work at 11 elevated Metro stations on the Phase-I corridor, with an estimated cost of Rs 6.41 crore.
Chennai Metro Stations to Undergo a Change
The stations included in the first phase of the beautification work are Koyambedu, Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT), Arumbakkam, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar, St Thomas Mount, Airport, Meenambakkam, Nanganallur Road, Guindy, and Little Mount.
Chennai Metro's New Initiative
According to a CMRL official, the painting work is part of a larger plan to improve the look of Metro stations across the city. The work will be carried out in phases. For now, 11 stations have been selected, while the remaining stations will be taken up later.
Many residents have welcomed the move but also suggested that CMRL should focus on cleaning Metro pillars and other structures. V. Padmanaban, a travel enthusiast from Ekattuthangal, said that Metro pillars and barricades are often covered with posters, especially those put up by political parties. He suggested that CMRL should strictly ban such posters and impose fines on those responsible. He also said that the beautification work should include elevated Metro pillars to keep the entire corridor clean and attractive.
Chennai Metro to Introduce Semi-Naming Rights for Nine Metro Stations
Apart from the painting project, CMRL is also planning to introduce semi-naming rights for nine Metro stations on the Phase-I extension of Corridor 1. Under this plan, the original station names will have a prefix or suffix added as part of a commercial naming agreement.
The stations selected for semi-naming are New Washermanpet, Thiyagaraya College, Tondiarpet, Tollgate, Wimco Nagar, Wimco Nagar Depot, Thiruvottiyur, Thiruvottiyur Theradi, and Kaladipet. The initiative is expected to generate additional revenue for CMRL while improving the appearance and maintenance of Metro stations across Chennai.