Chennai: The Chennai metro witnessed a huge crowd on Friday with the inauguration of six metro stations along Nehru Park to Central and Saidapet to AG-DMS stretches. As test trial would go on for two days, no charges were levied on the travel from Central to Airport and AG-DMS to Little Mount and this would continue till Saturday night.
The first joy ride started from Egmore metro station. The station spread across 8,000 square metres with four entry/exit points - one each at Southern Railway headquarters and Poonamalle High Road and two near the Egmore suburban railway station. It is a walk-able distance between the suburban railway station and metro rail, making it easier for commuters arriving from other states at the railway station, board the metro.
“With soaring diesel and petrol prices and increased traffic congestion in the city, this has come as a major respite. Compared to taking a cab or an auto, the amount spent on the travel is considerably low. Also, proper linking to inter-modal transport made the travel hassle free,” said one of the passengers, K.Manohar.All newly inaugurated stations have all facilities like in other underground metro stations. The passengers faced teething problems like juggling for parking lots and amenities at stations.
While the frequency of the trains is now 10 minutes for all the stretches during peak hours, officials said depending on the patronage the time gap between the trains would be reduced to five or seven minutes.
