Commuting from Koyambedu Metro station a huge strain for commuters

C Shivakumar
Chennai:

Four days after the inauguration of Chennai Metro Rail, commuters are
facing numerous hurdles to access Koyambedu Metro station.



The station is hardly accessible for commuters living in Anna Nagar
area or in Golden George Nagar area or Nerkundram.



The skywalk which is to link Koyambedu Metro station with Rohini
theatre on the other side of Poonamallee road is incomplete and is
likely to take one to two months.



“We plan to complete it in the next one to two months,” said a Chennai
Metro Rail official. Workers were seen working on the equipment to
make it ready for the next one and a half month gruelling work.



“The work would be carried out only during the night when the
Poonamalee stretch has minimal traffic. The workers would be carrying
out the work with utmost care. This would take more time,” said the
official.



But shouldn’t the work completed much earlier? “We tried but got into
issues with a nearby temple. The issue has been sorted out,” said the
official.



However, till the skywalk is ready, the pedestrians are at the mercy
of speeding motorists while crossing the road to access Chennai Metro.

Even the feeder services which were planned could hardly be visible.
It was initially planned to have feeder services on three routes
linking the Koyambedu Metro Station with Padi kuppam, Golde George
Nagar, JJ Nagar, Gangaiamman Nagar, Dr. MGR University, Thai
Moogambigai College, Pallavan Nagar, MMDA colony, Maduravoyal Market
and Nerkundum. But unfortunately this has yet to materialise.



When Express tried to contact the managing director of Metropolitan
Transport Corporation, it was learnt that the new managing director
has yet to take office. “Once the new MD is in place, we will work out
the modalities,” said a Metro rail official.



The delay could have a impact on the ridership. Commuters complain
that the fares of chennai Metro is too costlier. “Why should I pay for
the auto to avail Chennai Metro which is equally costlier,” says
Ramesh, a resident of Chinmaya Nagar.

“I would rather board a bus to Koyambedu and then take a train to
Guindy,” he says.



“It is only the effluent sections who can afford
autos or cars or motorcycles are accessing the stations. Those who
depend on government transport have hardly any choice as the means of
accessibility to the stations is bare minimum,” a commuter rued.


Interestingly, officials have ignored to have proper lighting in place
on the stretch linking market to Koyambedu Metro station and
Poonamalee road. “It is still dark ad the commuter has walk along a
lonely stretch which also has a Tasmac Bar,” said Vijay, a commuter.



Proposed Feeder Routes from Koyambedu Metro Station:

1. Koyambedu Station - Padi kuppam - Golde George Nagar - JJ Nagar -
Gangaiamman Nagar - Dr. MGR University - Thai Moogambigai College -
Pallavan Nagar - Nerkundum - Koyambedu Station

(Length 5.5km)



2. Koyambedu Station - Nerkundum - Viswa Nagar - MMDA Colony -
Kamatchi Nagar - Jayaram Nagar - Rajiv Gandhi Nagar - Azhagammal Nagar
- Pallavan Nagar - Nerkundrum - Koyambedu Station

(Length 7.4km)



3. Koyambedu Station - Nerkundum - Viswa Nagar - Maduravoyal Post
Office - Karthikeyan Nagar - Maduravoyal Market - Janaki Nagar -
Chinna Mettukuppam - MMDA Colony Sentamil Nagar -Santha Avenue -
Netaji Avenue - Nerkundrum - Koyambedu Station

(Length 8.5km)