CHENNAI: On a busy day to office you may soon be able to grab a bite or take a parcel on the way as food joints are planned in four railway stations in the city by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Three of the four stations are located on the Beach-Velachery MRTS line, while construction of a food plaza at Tambaram station is nearing completion, officials told Express.
The three MRTS stations selected for food joints are Mylapore, Thiruvanmiyur and Velachery. All three have huge free space remaining under-utilised. Currently, the Central and Egmore are the only stations to have a food court with a handful of well-known brands like Rathna Cafe, Dindigul Thalappakatti and Adyar Ananda Bhavan.
According to IRCTC’s plan, Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur stations would get fast food units and a food plaza with Velachery station having a dedicated kitchen. “Each facility will have a space of minimum 1,500 sq ft. Tenders are expected to be called for the projects soon,” a senior official told Express.
Chennai Beach would also get a food plaza, with different brands offering a variety of cuisines all under one roof. “Although beach station already has a food court, occupied most prominently by Saravana Bhavan, we will call for fresh tenders,” the official added.
Meanwhile, the ongoing construction work for a food plaza at Tambaram, said to be one of the largest in the country to be operated by IRCTC, would be completed in another two months. Efforts are underway to rope in reputed food chains, with specific focus on names that resonate with youth considering the presence of several educational institutions nearby.
“Work on the food plaza began in April this year. The facility spread over a combined 4,000 sq ft will come up on both sides of the station. While the food plaza on the GST road side (measuring 2,500 sq ft) is expected to draw in more than 3,000 persons per day, the eastern side will be smaller with about 1,500 sq ft,” the official said.