Central to Chennai airport metro on cards

Chennai: Metro rail commuters could soon enjoy hassle free travel with direct train from Central metro to the airport. The commissioner of metro rail safety would inspect the Shenoy Nagar to Central stretch on Monday and Tuesday and would later inspect Little Mount to AG DMS stretch on May 18 and 19, confirmed metro officials.
 
Following this, a report will be given to the Metro Rail authorities and depending on this, there would be an official launch after necessary changes. ‘The commissioner would look into the facilities in trains and its operation, underground tunnels, station infrastructure to check commuter safety. Aspects like tunnel ventilation, fire prevention and disaster management measures would be looked into,” said an official of Chennai metro.

Chennai metro, which is currently witnessing a patronage of 34,000 commuters daily, expects it to rise to one lakh once the operations from Chennai Central commence. In the peak hours, the frequency of trains between Central to Airport would be every five minutes.

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 inter-state 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 at Southern Railway headquarters and Poonamalle high road and two near the Egmore suburban railway station. It is walking distance between the suburban railway station and metro rail, making it easier for commuters arriving from other states at the railway station to board the metro.