Chennai Metro to Build on 73 Lakh Sq Ft Along 37 Phase-II Corridors.

Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) is set to embark on a major expansion of its commercial property portfolio, planning to develop 73.4 lakh square feet of space across at least 37 locations along its Phase-II metro corridors, reports TOI. The initiative marks a shift beyond traditional station footprints, creating a new model for urban development in the city.

The move aims to monetise land parcels to boost non-fare revenue and enhance the financial sustainability of the growing metro network. Urban planner Karthikeyan Baskar noted that denser development within 500 metres of metro stations could significantly alter commute patterns. “The primary goal of transit-oriented development is to increase public transport use, potentially reducing reliance on private vehicles,” he said, while emphasizing the need for improved pedestrian infrastructure to make this shift effective.

CMRL has identified key sites for development, including Boat Club, Kutchery Road, Sholinganallur along the IT corridor, and major transport hubs such as Mandaveli, Vadapalani, and Alandur. At Kutchery Road, near Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a four-storey integrated building is planned on a 22,000 sq ft plot, offering over 43,000 sq ft of built-up space at an estimated ₹16.47 crore. The structure will connect directly to the underground station.

Near the Boat Club residential area, a standalone four-storey commercial building with a basement is proposed on an 8,200 sq ft plot, providing more than 17,000 sq ft of built-up area at ₹6.59 crore. Two additional integrated buildings are planned in the vicinity. Officials told TOI that several projects will either integrate with station entries or be located a few metres away, creating commercial clusters around transit nodes and potentially increasing daily footfall.

Phase-II represents the first time CMRL is undertaking large-scale property development beyond station premises, following models seen in Delhi and Bengaluru. A CMRL official said construction will begin at the Mandaveli terminus-cum-bus depot, with work soon to start in Vadapalani and Alandur. The agency plans to issue design-and-build contracts for each property.

During Phase-I, CMRL had developed a 27-storey central tower near Central Station and an eight-storey multimodal complex at Broadway, in addition to leasing commercial spaces within stations. Phase-II expands this approach by targeting properties outside station boundaries.

Similar models have been adopted by other metros: Delhi Metro has developed integrated residential complexes and IT parks, including plans for a 29-storey residential project in Janakpuri West, while Bengaluru Metro has proposed an 11-storey mall in KR Puram.

R Ramanathan, former CMRL director and adviser to Nagpur Metro, highlighted the importance of non-fare revenue for metro viability. “Transit systems are increasingly planned with integrated commercial properties to generate additional revenue, provided operations remain unaffected. Integration and parking access will be key to market success,” he said.

Sivasubramaniam Jayaraman of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) added that such developments can strengthen ridership if mobility remains central. “Easy and safe access to stations is critical. Without adequate pedestrian infrastructure, transit-oriented development cannot achieve its goals,” he warned.