Chennai: The operations between Chennai Central and Nehru Park would begin this month, confirmed Chennai metro rail officials. While the construction of Egmore station is in the finishing stage, Central Square is partially completed (enough to begin operations in the underground stretch).
Chennai metro, currently witnessing a patronage of 34,000 commuters daily, expects it to rise to one lakh once the operations from Chennai central commence. During the peak hours, the frequency of trains between Central to airport would be five minutes, said a senior official.
This would provide a major respite to the commuters from Egmore as trains from various parts of Tamil Nadu depart from the station and also the Egmore bus terminus facilitates interstate commutation. The Egmore suburban railway station attracts nearly one lakh commuters every day.
“During peak hours, it is a nightmare to travel in the suburban trains with choking passengers. Metro, though costlier would ensure a hassle-free travel, hopefully,” said P. Chaithanya, a regular commuter from Egmore.
Egmore metro station is spread over a sprawling 8,000 square metres with four entry/exit points - one each of the Southern Railway headquarters and Poonamallee high road and two near the Egmore suburban railway station. It is a walkable 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.
“The work is almost complete. We only have to finish work on the escalators at the back gate and electric works. Trial runs in the underground stretch would continue till then,” said an official.
Also, near the exit at Poonamalle high road, talks are in the pipeline to start a bus bay facilitating inter-modal transport.
The Nehru Park to Chennai Central stretch runs along 2.7 km covering three stations - Nehru Park, Chennai Egmore and Chennai Central. The extension of this stretch will throw open a direct link between Central and Chennai airport.
