The Central Square project is now on track as the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has received Southern Railway’s nod to continue with the beautification work it had planned in front of the Moore Market Complex and Central Railway Station. The Rs 400 crore Central Square project has almost been completed in front of Ripon Buildings. The beautification work is a part of it. The project also includes additional passenger facilities for multi-modal integration to connect suburban trains, MRTS and metro rail with outstation buses and trains through pedestrian subways, underground parking and a 20-storey central plaza with bus bays. Earlier this year, Southern Railway had denied permission for the beautification work in front of Central Railway Station and Moore Market Complex, indicating interference to passenger flow. It slowed down the project. But, the work planned in front of Ripon Buildings has been in full swing. A Southern Railway official said they permitted CMRL to continue with Central Square developmental works on railway land near Chennai Central and MMC. The official said that they communicated it to CMRL. The work will involve canopies, seating, landscaping and pergolas, pathways, etc. Additionally, a CMRL official said that the work in front of the Ripon Buildings will be done by the end of this month. The official said that Southern Railway gave CMRL the approval for beautifying their premises just two days back. The work planned in front of Central and MMC will need two months. They will eliminate the existing cement blocks on the surface and have new paving aside from other features. While work for the pedestrian subways and the underground parking is underway, CMRL will shortly float a tender to look for an investor for the construction work of the multi-storied Central Plaza. The plaza is likely to have a shopping area, hotel, office spaces, and a waiting lounge for passengers and bus crew. The plaza will include bus bays on the front for outstation and local buses to pick up and drop off passengers. The official said that they have planned three-level underground parking. Excavation is going on for the two levels at the bottom. Image Source Also read: Chennai Central, Egmore station redevelopment is yet to start