After over two years, Ripon Buildings is set to get an entry and exit on Poonamallee High Road.
A large piece of land, including the exit and entrance of the Ripon Building campus on the high road, was temporarily closed off in 2011 to facilitate construction of the Chennai Central Metro Station.
The construction work started after Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) assured the civic body that entry and exit would not be affected during the construction of the station. However, the entire area covering the parking area of the Central station, portions of land on the premises of Victoria Public Hall, Hotel Picnic and Ripon Building had to be cordoned off for the work on the underground station.
The location of the station had been chosen keeping in view its integration with the Central railway station, the suburban station at Moore Market Complex and Park Station.
At present, the construction of the underground two-level station, which would be a node for the two Metro Rail corridors, is underway.
This work has opened up the front side of the Ripon Building.
“Work on the entry and exit ramps has been completed. We have requested CMRL to demarcate land without affecting movement of vehicles from and to Ripon Building,” said an official of Chennai Corporation.
The vacant land measuring over 40,000 square feet on Ripon Building campus on the front side will be restored to its original condition after the work. The common exit and entry for the two corridors and the ventilation shaft of the station would come up on the premises of campus.
