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After the first Phase-2 metro section from Porur to Poonamallee Bypass becomes operational, metro stations may soon offer more than just travel. Passengers could shop, eat at restaurants, and park their vehicles in modern multi-level parking facilities built at or near the stations.
Chennai Metro's Plans
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has started plans to develop around 1.9 lakh square feet of space inside and around selected stations on Corridor 4, which runs from Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass. For this, CMRL has invited consultancy services to design station-linked commercial projects at places such as Nandanam, Boat Club, Bharathidasan Road, Alwarpet, Kutchery Road, Kattupakkam, Iyyappanthangal, and Alapakkam. Development is also planned at points where Corridor 4 and Corridor 5 separate in Phase 2. The main goal is to earn extra income apart from ticket sales and to make metro travel more attractive.
Porur-Poonamallee Bypass Stretch
A metro official explained that CMRL plans to use "air rights," which means building structures above available land and station areas. These projects will not only generate revenue but also give the city a modern look. With Chennai's large population, there is a growing need for public spaces, as seen in the crowds at malls, parks, and eateries. Having such spaces directly connected to metro stations will be an added benefit. The 9.1 km Porur-Poonamallee Bypass stretch on Corridor 4 will be the first Phase-2 line, out of the total 118.1 km, to open for public use later this month.
Alapakkam Station
As per the plan, near the Boat Club underground station, an 8,000 sq ft commercial building with multiple floors will be developed. At Kutchery Road station, about 22,000 sq ft of space will be created, including areas above entry and exit points. Alapakkam station will get a 25,000 sq ft multi-level car parking facility with a foot overbridge connection. Similar projects are planned at Kattupakkam and Iyyappanthangal. Landscaped public spaces will also be created below elevated sections where the two corridors meet.
Earlier, commercial spaces in Phase-1 stations did not attract many businesses due to low passenger numbers. However, experts believe that as Phase 2 connects more areas, footfall will increase, making these developments more successful in the future.
