Old Mahabalipuram Road is slated to be Chennai's new metro centre

14 Apr 2023 CW Team

If the state government decides to extend lines to ECR and Velachery, the design of the stations at Okkiyam Thoraipakkam and Sholinganallur will be changed to allow for the addition of platforms and tracks in the future. This means that in the future, it won't be necessary to connect ECR to the metro network by building a new line that soars above existing metro lines through OMR. To connect ECR with the rest of the city, it simply has to be connected to the existing stations at these two intersections.

Both of these stations are situated on significant OMR junctions in Phase 2. While Sholinganallur will serve as an interchange connecting corridor-3 with corridor-5 from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Sholinganallur, Okkiyam Thoraipakkam is a portion of corridor-3 from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Siruseri Sipcot. The concourse level of the stations will be constructed at an angle to allow for the future addition of additional platforms and the creation of integrated stations. It will resemble the foot overbridge that connects numerous platforms at Central or Egmore stations. According to a metro rail official, the modifications made to these stations are small and won't significantly raise project costs. We can create a T-junction by connecting ECR and Velachery to either Okkiyam Thoraipakkam or Sholinganallur, or both.

Passengers from Anna Nagar, Porur, Alandur, Madipakkam, Nungambakkam, Adyar, and Madhavaram can change corridors at Okkiyam Thoraipakkam or Sholinganallur to travel to East Coast Road after OMR becomes a metro rail hub. The construction of metro rail corridors over a flyover at Sholinganallur will be difficult, according to T Archunan, project director for CMRL. A similar design tweak is being made to phase-2 Koyembedu metro, which will be built above phase-1 station, to add platforms for a future extension line to Avadi.

Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) may develop into a metro rail hub in a few years with lines crisscrossing the main road at important intersections like Okkiam Thoraipakkam and Sholinganallur, allowing travellers to interchange trains on various lines to access ECR and other parts of the city. Metro rail authorities intend to connect East Coast Road (ECR) and Velachery with extension lines from either Okkiyam Thoraipakkam or Sholinganallur station, or both stations built as part of phase- 2, in addition to the line that will run along OMR. If the state government decides to extend lines to ECR and Velachery, the design of the stations at Okkiyam Thoraipakkam and Sholinganallur will be changed to allow for the addition of platforms and tracks in the future. This means that in the future, it won't be necessary to connect ECR to the metro network by building a new line that soars above existing metro lines through OMR. To connect ECR with the rest of the city, it simply has to be connected to the existing stations at these two intersections. Both of these stations are situated on significant OMR junctions in Phase 2. While Sholinganallur will serve as an interchange connecting corridor-3 with corridor-5 from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Sholinganallur, Okkiyam Thoraipakkam is a portion of corridor-3 from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Siruseri Sipcot. The concourse level of the stations will be constructed at an angle to allow for the future addition of additional platforms and the creation of integrated stations. It will resemble the foot overbridge that connects numerous platforms at Central or Egmore stations. According to a metro rail official, the modifications made to these stations are small and won't significantly raise project costs. We can create a T-junction by connecting ECR and Velachery to either Okkiyam Thoraipakkam or Sholinganallur, or both. Passengers from Anna Nagar, Porur, Alandur, Madipakkam, Nungambakkam, Adyar, and Madhavaram can change corridors at Okkiyam Thoraipakkam or Sholinganallur to travel to East Coast Road after OMR becomes a metro rail hub. The construction of metro rail corridors over a flyover at Sholinganallur will be difficult, according to T Archunan, project director for CMRL. A similar design tweak is being made to phase-2 Koyembedu metro, which will be built above phase-1 station, to add platforms for a future extension line to Avadi.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..