CHENNAI: Chennai Metro opened the 1.28km stretch from Alandur to St Thomas Mount today thus making the entire elevated stretch operational. The stretch could not be opened earlier as the inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety was pending. This means you can take Metro trains from Koyambedu (the bus transport hub of Chennai) up to St Thomas Mount, a thickly populated residential area in south Chennai.
A metro rail spokesperson said that the stretch was put to commercial operation at 6am. Meanwhile, a Metro rail official said the loop at Alandur station that would enable direct trains between Koyambedu and Airport expected to become operational soon. Currently, the passengers have to get down at Alandur station and climb down two levels to take a train to Airport.
Currently, 15,000 people use Chennai metro every day and once the direct link resumes, then Metro Rail hopes the patronage will increase substantially. A taxi or an auto from the airport costs nearly Rs 450 to Rs 350. But with help of metro, a commuter has to pay mere Rs 50 and can enjoy the world class service. To a query on making the accessibility more viable educational institutions like Anna University, IIT Madras and Central leather research institute from Little Mount station which result in more ridership, officials said they are considering a few proposals on this.