Chennai is set to advance its urban mobility framework as Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) invites consultancy bids to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a proposed multimodal transit hub at Guindy. The project aims to integrate metro, suburban rail, and bus services within a single coordinated facility, improving commuter convenience and urban transit efficiency across the city.
The initiative is led by Chennai Metro Asset Management Ltd (CMAML), a wholly-owned CMRL subsidiary tasked with infrastructure planning and non-fare revenue optimisation. The Guindy hub is expected to connect the Corridor 1 metro station with the adjacent suburban station on the Chennai Beach–Tambaram line, alongside the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus terminus. Preliminary proposals envision a modern, multi-level hub, featuring a ground-level MTC bus terminal, basement parking for private vehicles, and a commercial floor to generate revenue. Plans also include the reconstruction of an existing student hostel with separate access, as well as a foot overbridge linking the suburban railway and metro facilities to the hub.
Officials highlighted that the Tamil Nadu government, in its 2025–26 budget, allocated ₹750 crore for multimodal hubs at Guindy and Washermanpet, both identified by urban planners as key congestion points in the city’s public transport network. Guindy, located on the periphery of Chennai’s industrial estate and serving as a major traffic interchange, was prioritised for integration under the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) in 2022 through a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-assisted plan. Tender documents indicate that the appointed consultant will undertake extensive feasibility studies, land-use mapping, market assessments, and preliminary architectural and financial planning. Developing revenue models for the hub and coordinating with the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to obtain statutory approvals also form a critical part of the consultancy scope.
Urban transport experts emphasise that a well-designed multimodal hub at Guindy could transform commuter experience by reducing last-mile connectivity challenges, streamlining interchanges, and promoting sustainable mobility. By integrating public transport modes efficiently, the hub is expected to decrease reliance on private vehicles, contributing to lower emissions and supporting Chennai’s vision for eco-friendly, gender-inclusive, and equitable transit systems. Officials further noted that such hubs are integral to modern urban planning, enhancing passenger convenience while creating sustainable revenue streams for transit authorities. Once completed, the Guindy hub is projected to serve thousands of daily commuters, improve traffic decongestion in one of Chennai’s busiest corridors, and set a benchmark for future multimodal infrastructure in the city.
Also Read : Kolkata Metro to Launch Three New Stretches by August End
