Kamal Ghorui
Chennai: Switching between different modes of transport for daily commute may soon become seamless, as Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has planned a comprehensive redesign of areas around 41 metro stations to turn them into integrated multimodal hubs. The agency floated a tender recently to prepare a detailed project report (DPR).The plan will cover a 500m radius around each station. All 41 stations, including major nodes such as Central, Egmore, Guindy, Saidapet and Alandur, have been identified for redesign. The plan proposes continuous footpaths, shaded walkways, skywalk extensions and barrier-free access to make stations safer and more accessible.It aims to fix last-mile gaps through designated pick-up and drop-off zones, feeder services and improved access for autos and taxis. Bus stops are likely to be relocated closer to station entrances to reduce transfer distances, while parking will be reorganised.“This initiative is essential for intermodal integration with other transport systems, commuter safety and accessibility, thus leading to increased ridership,” CMRL said in the tender. The move comes amid persistent complaints of poor pedestrian access, unsafe crossings and lack of integration between metro, MTC buses, MRTS and suburban rail.Commuters welcomed the initiative. “When you step out, you are left on your own to find transport. There is no proper last-mile connectivity now,” said Hema Chandran, a commuter from Royapettah.The gaps are most visible at hubs such as Guindy, a high footfall zone where access points are crippled by chaos. The proposed redesign includes extending skywalks linking Anna Salai, the suburban station and Race Course Road. Urban transport experts say the plan marks a long-overdue shift from treating metro stations as standalone assets to planning them as part of a larger mobility network. R Ramanathan, former CMRL director, said such integration was part of the original Phase 1 vision but was never implemented due to poor coordination between departments.
