For S. Ajeesh, a resident of Balakrishna Street off Royapettah High Road, getting to Velachery means boarding a bus and travelling for at least an hour in heavy traffic. But within a month, he can hop on to a Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) train at the long-delayed Mundagakanni Amman Koil Station in Mylapore to reach his destination in a matter of minutes.
The Mundagakanni Amman Koil Station, between the Thirumayilai and Light House stations, will be the 18th one on the nearly 20–km stretch. The MRTS caters to a total of 80,000 commuters and 134 services ply between the stations every day.
The station was initially slated to be completed in 2009 itself. However, it was delayed due to issues to do with land acquisition. 2012 was then slated as the next deadline but an issue in getting the approval for the name delayed it further.
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There are over 300 commuters who now walk to Thirumayilai MRTS station from areas in the vicinity of the Mundagakanni Amman Koil Station. “It is a little cumbersome as one has to board a bus and get down at Luz or Mylapore Tank bus stop and again walk to the station. The Mundagakanni Amman Koil Station will be a boon for us,” said K. Satheesh, a resident of Apparsami Koil Street in Mylapore. The entrance to the station is near Slaterpuram, which is situated on the road behind Tiruvalluvar Statue. A blue arch with the station’s name welcomes the commuters. “The station will be similar to that of Mylapore station. It has only one entrance as the Cooum river runs alongside. The cost of construction was Rs.10 crore,” said a senior railway official.
Residents who are at the mercy of traffic while travelling in buses and autorickshaws are among the most happy. The functioning of the station is also likely to benefit many who often travel outside the city in this predominantly residential area. “It makes travel from Central Station so much easier, especially when you return from your home town on Monday morning and have to head off to work, said a frequent traveller.
Many IT employees who live in Mylapore on the Royapettah High Road may also be encouraged to keep their vehicles at home and hop onto the train. “After work we can just get into the MRTS train and reach our office or homes escaping the heavy vehicular congestion during peak hours,” said K. Nandinee, a resident of Mundagakanni Amman Koil Street.
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