Sensational!! Mini malls, eateries etc at metro stations in OMR Chennai!!
The OMR or Old Mahabalipuram Residents in Chennai need not go to different places to have food, buy clothes etc.
The latest news is that when the metro trains start operating on the OMR the metro stations would be doubling up as malls, housing eateries, apparel outlets plus other commercial establishments. By this, both the commuters as well as the residents would benefit.
To provide commercial amenities at 9 elevated metro stations along the 45.8km long corridor connecting Madhavaram with SIPCOT IT Park in Siruseri, CMRL or Chennai Metro Rail Limited has awarded contracts for design and civil construction of entry and exit points to Bridge & Roof Company (India) Ltd. It is now said that this company would construct up to 3 floors in stations like Nehru Nagar, Kandanchavadi, Perungudi, Thoraipakkam, Mettupakkam, PTC Colony, Okkiyampet, Karapakkam, Okkiyam Thoraipakkam at a cost of Rs 250.47 cr.
It was explained by an official from CMRL that these metro stations on OMR were initially planned as plain structures. He added that they were converted into property oriented transit development space to enhance passenger convenience and generate additional revenue for CMRL. It must be noted that the commercial spaces would be let out to merchants.
It is noteworthy that these commercial hubs would be smaller when compared to the large commercial developments integrated with metro stations for Mandaveli bus terminus at corridor 3 and Thirumangalam at corridor 5.
