In a step towards multi-modal integration, bus stops along Anna Nagar and Poonamallee High Road will be moved closer to the Chennai Metro Rail underground stations.
According to officials of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), the move will facilitate easy access to buses for commuters from Metro stations. ‘“Many bus stops are located closer to the underground Metro stations and we have held discussions with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation to move the other bus stops too. This should be done within a week or two,” an official said.
Currently, there are seven underground Metro stations from Anna Nagar to Poonamallee High Road which became operational in May this year.
Plan for feeder services
Apart from this, Chennai Metro Rail officials have been holding discussions with MTC to finalise the routes for running feeder services such as mini bus along this stretch.
“We have prepared the routes already; but MTC has to approve of it only after which the feeder services can begin,” the official added.
Five months after the stretch became operational, the feeder services, essential for commuters to reach interior areas in both Anna Nagar and Poonamallee High Road, are yet to be implemented.
In the first two stretches of Chennai Metro Rail — Koyambedu to Alandur and Little Mount to Chennai airport — bus stops are closer to the entry/exit of some stations. However, in stations such as Vadapalani, Ekkatuthangal, Meenambakkam and Nanganallur, commuters are struggling to reach the nearest bus stops. Mini buses plying on both these stretches don’t cover all the areas.