Chennai Metro Rail plans to have two small shopping malls soon — one at Arumbakkam station and the other at Ekkatuthangal station — as part of its property development initiative aimed at stepping up revenue.
According to the officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), they have chalked out a plan to build small shopping malls near these two stations and plan to call for tenders soon.
“We have identified lands near both these stations and approached the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority for approval; we may get it anytime now. Our consultant has suggested a mix of retail and commercial use in both these stations,” an official said.
Arumbakkam and Ekkatuthangal stations have about 3,000 sq.m. and 5,000 sq.m. of land respectively.
While the first few floors will have commercial establishments, the rest will be rented out for office use.
At Ashok Nagar and CMBT stations, plans about property development are yet to be finalised.
Similars plans have not been made for Koyambedu and Alandur, as the space needs to be retained for developing future corridors and integrating other modes of transport with them.
Increasing patronage
The plans to develop mini shopping malls are not only for developing the property but also to help improve the Metro Rail’s patronage substantially.
It is to be noted that Arumbakkam and Ekkatuthangal stations register the least footfall when compared to the other stations on the stretch.
Chennai Metro Rail started its first service in June last year between Koyambedu and Alandur.
Only last month, a few food stalls were put up at these stations.
At Ashok Nagar and CMBT
stations, property development is yet to be finalised
