Setting MRTS on the fast track

IT PROMISES to be a rags to riches story of a different kind. Rail enthusiasts are already ecstatic, as the MRTS prepares to re-invent itself in the new millennium, with a new set of stations.

Imagine this: being able to park your car or two-wheeler in the MRTS station, ride up the escalator and take a train, skipping the fuming city road traffic. Buy your designer shirts, dresses and perfumes in a swank store, just after you step outside the train. Arrive by train, grab the middle class medley in a departmental store right in the station complex and rush home - again by train.

It might sound like Bond Street on the London Underground or Potsdammerplatz in Berlin, but it could just as well be Kasturba Nagar or Kotturpuram. The MRTS could change the way we look at suburban rail stations.

Phase One of MRTS failed largely because the stations were given to cargo operators and long distance bus operators, not to consumer stores. Things could change for Phase II, with some strategic planning.

Commuters always look for quick change over facilities. As the saying goes, better late than never and the CMDA, the nodal agency for the Phase II of the MRTS, and the Metropolitan Transport System (Railways) have decided to design the new stations to meet the need. The expected results were on show for a high level inspection at Thirumailai on Friday.

These stations have been designed for free flow of both commuters and vehicles. For example in Kasturba Nagar and Indira Nagar a service road is provided at the rear of the stations to facilitate easy access for commuters from these two residential colonies. There will be a link road connecting Taramani and Velacheri stations parallel to the existing highways road.

The car boom has been considered and parking both at basement and ground level is to be provided. There is no station on the globe with enough car parking space, but a good budget of spaces provides an encouraging start for commuters and office-goers/ shoppers.

More important, bus bays with passenger shelters are being set up to be connected directly to platforms with pedestrian over- bridges. Exits at the basement and ground level will be located in such a way to help smooth flow of traffic to and from the stations. Rail enthusiasts keep their fingers crossed that these will translate into reality.

These stations will have multi-tier buildings with provision for commercial development.

Then again, the MRTS does not have even now: a good system map, showing its connections to the other suburban lines (Park/Fort/Beach).

A website: Delhi, which has no trains on its Metro as yet, has a full site, but Chennai, with real MRTS trains, has no virtual dimension. No sign boards, no logo that stands out, and no slogan. It should start with a change of train colours, some enthusiasts say. How about bright green ?

By S. Vydhianathan

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Section  : Southern States
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