More options to dine and shop at Chennai Metro Rail stations soon

More options for recreation, shopping and dining lie ahead for Chennai Metro Rail commuters in the coming months as the CMRL has opened up additional spaces across several stations in the 54 km phase I and phase I extension network.

At present, food and beverage outlets exist but huge spaces remain underutilised in many stations across the network. While shops are available at the street level in several stations now, in the majority of the stations, the concourse level stands underused currently.

In the past, the number of passengers was lesser and some of the facilities like access to water, drainage and power could not be provided in the concourse level in all stations. But in the past year, officials said, work was taken up to create all these facilities, and it has now been completed.

According to CMRL officials, they have floated bids for letting out spaces in the street level and concourse or ticketing level of stations.

In 26 stations including Teynampet, AGDMS, Alandur, Shenoy Nagar, Anna Nagar Tower, Thirumangalam, LIC, Thousand Lights, Government Estate, Nandanam, Egmore, Vadapalani, Tollgate, Kaladipet and Wimco Nagar, CMRL has proposed to give licensing rights for commercial purposes to 14,229 sq.metres of area on the ground floor and concourse level.

In 14 stations, kiosks can be set up at the street level. In some of the stations like AG-DMS, Chennai Central and Wimco Nagar, a significant area will be let out. For instance, in AG-DMS, as much as 1,800 sq.metres will be available.

“It is critical for CMRL to effectively use these spaces both in the ticketing and street level as it will substantially improve our revenue. With the number of commuters increasing, we may see a lot of bidders vying for these spaces. The tenders have been floated now, and the contract will be awarded in another three or four months. By mid 2026, we expect a lot of recreational, food and beverage outlets in these spaces,” an official said.

Sources said, as stretches in phase II network will begin taking off shortly, it will have a ripple effect on the patronage of phase I in future and setting up office spaces, food outlets or shops may be a good idea. “Anything from a co-working space to a supermarket could work in these stations,” a source said.