CHENNAI: Air passengers will get access to a walkator linking Chennai Metro Rail station with the airport from next year, according to Chennai airport director G Chandramouli.
Chandramouli said that funds of `60 crore had been sanctioned for setting up the walkator linking Metro with airport. “We will be floating tenders by end of January or mid-February after which it will take six months to finish the work,” he added.
However, there could be changes in the architecture as airport is still wary about the patronage for it.
“We wanted people to make optimum use of it and there could be some architectural changes. We don’t want to keep it idle,” said Chandramouli.
The major issue between airport and Chennai Metro is the patronage. “Usually, the airport is more vibrant only during night when passengers flock to board flights which are scheduled early in the morning. During that peak hour, Chennai Metro doesn’t function,” said airport sources. The other issue is lack of connectivity from the stations as multi-modal integration at many stations has yet to happen.
Interestingly, Chennai Metro has already started direct train services from Koyambedu to Chennai airport. “The hourly services are available for the last two weeks,” said Metro Rail source. Interestingly, most of the people are unaware of the service.
With the walkator likely to be ready by October next year, the patronage for Chennai Metro is likely to increase with the opening of underground Metro-l stretch linking Nehru Park with the airport which is likely to be inaugurated by April next year.
Chandramouli also said that the detailed project report for Phase II modernisation would be over by January next year and tenders would be floated on June 2017.
Chandramouli also said that the Airport Authority of India is looking at acquiring more land for the secondary runway so that wide-bodied aircraft can land.