Chennai Metro to set up real-time info boards at airport, railway stations, and malls to aid commuters

For a first-time traveller arriving in Chennai on the Pandian Express, one of the first thoughts upon reaching the city is how to commute from Egmore railway station to their destination. In a couple of months, a digital display board at the station will provide information about the nearby Chennai Metro Rail station, which is just a few minutes’ walk away.

From railway stations and shopping malls to the airport, Chennai Metro Rail plans to install digital display boards that will show the route map of the 54-km phase I and phase I extension network, fare details, the distance to the nearest station, and real-time train updates. The idea is that such displays, when installed at key transportation hubs, will facilitate multi-modal integration.

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has floated bids for the project, which is expected to be implemented soon. According to the bid documents, the digital display boards will be installed at the domestic and international arrival and departure halls of Chennai airport, Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations, IT parks, shopping malls, and educational institutions. A few display boards will also be positioned at strategic points within these locations. The objective is to encourage more people to use the metro.

Devaraj, a resident of Tambaram, said it would help if the train timings of Southern Railway’s long-distance trains were also displayed inside the ticketing areas of Chennai Metro Rail stations. “Travellers to the city will benefit from this facility. Newcomers may not know where the metro or suburban stations are, and this could help them opt for public transport instead of spending on cabs or autos,” he noted.