Stations of Metro Rail’s Phase 2 network to get new names, better look

The Chennai Metro Rail Limited’s (CMRL) new Phase 2 stations from Poonamallee to Vadapalani are to sport new names and a new look in the coming months.

In a bid to diversify streams of revenue beyond fares, the CMRL has floated bids for a semi-naming rights initiative in the Phase 2 network, akin to its implementation in the Phase 1 network.

Under this initiative, the companies that win the bid will be permitted to use their firm’s name as a prefix or suffix to the station name, give the station’s exterior a fresh colour of their choice, and put up advertisements inside and outside the premises.

According to officials of the CMRL, they have chosen seven stations in the 14.6-km Phase 2’s Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch, which was opened early this week, for the initiative.

These include Poonamallee Bus Terminus, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, Iyyappanthangal, and Porur Bypass.

The CMRL has also invited bids for leasing out 1,887 sq.m. on two levels of concourse in the Vadapalani Phase 2 station for food and retail outlets.

“Vadapalani has turned into an important interchange station linking both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 networks, and hence, footfall has increased significantly. Today, we are witnessing about 11,000-12,000 passengers [in both Phase 1 and Phase 2]. This is expected to increase, as it has only been a few days since the the Phase 2 station was opened. Transit or exiting passengers will benefit from having retail or food outlets,” an official said.

Welcoming the move to set up outlets, Raghavan A., a frequent commuter, said that while adding a company’s name as prefix or suffix, the CMRL should ensure that its logo is prominent so that commuters could easily identify it as a Metro station.

“I also hope that when they give a fresh colour of paint, they do so aesthetically. Initially, a few Phase 1 stations were painted in bright colours like red, which were not pleasing to look at,” he said.