Chennai Metro Rail stations: More options
More options for recreation, shopping, and dining lie ahead for Chennai Metro Rail commuters in the coming months as the CMRL has opened up additional spaces across several stations in the 54 km phase I and phase I extension network.
At present, food and beverage outlets exist, but many stations across the network have large spaces that remain underutilized. While shops are available at street level in several stations now, the concourse level is currently underused in the majority of stations.
In the past, passenger numbers were lower, and some facilities, such as water, drainage, and power, could not be provided at the concourse level in all stations. But in the past year, officials said, work began to create all these facilities, and it has now been completed.
According to CMRL officials, they have floated bids to let out spaces at the street level and the concourse or ticketing level of stations.
In 26 stations, including Teynampet, AGDMS, Alandur, Shenoy Nagar, Anna Nagar Tower, Thirumangalam, LIC, Thousand Lights, Government Estate, Nandanam, Egmore, Vadapalani, Tollgate, Kaladipet, and Wimco Nagar, CMRL has proposed to give licensing rights for commercial purposes to 14,229 sq. meters of area on the ground floor and concourse level.
In 14 stations, kiosks can be set up at the street level.
At some stations, such as AG-DMS, Chennai Central, and Wimco Nagar, a significant area will be let out. For instance, in AG-DMS, up to 1,800 sq. meters will be available.
“It is critical for CMRL to effectively use these spaces both in the ticketing and street level, as it will substantially improve our revenue. With the number of commuters increasing, we may see many bidders vying for these spaces. The tenders have now been floated, and the contract will be awarded in another three or four months. By mid-2026, we expect a lot of recreational, food, and beverage outlets in these spaces,” an official said.
Sources said that as stretches in phase II of the network begin taking off shortly, it will have a ripple effect on phase I patronage in the future, and setting up office spaces, food outlets, or shops may be a good idea. “Anything from a co-working space to a supermarket could work in these stations,” a source said.