Chennai (Metro Rail News): Another development in the Chennai Metro project is that Chennai Metro Rail is planning to hire consultants to supervise the station designs for Phase 2. This initiative aims to ensure that the new stations are constructed to be barrier-free and disabled-friendly, adhering to universal accessibility standards.
According to officials the bids have been invited for the same work and the consultant is expected to be onboard by next 2-3 months.
As per an official statement “Of over 100 stations that we have, we have chosen 15 stations as samples, each having a specific type of design. The consultant will review the design, recommend changes in accordance with the guidelines and it will be replicated for all the stations,”.
Stations Identified:
- Nandanam
- Thousand Lights
- Perambur
- Alandur
- Kodambakkam
- Kattupakkam
- Valasaravakkam
- Pattalam
- Thirumayilai
- Porur Bypass
- Mugalivakkam
- Adambakkam
- Koyambedu
- Sholinganallur
According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), the appointed consultant will ensure that the stations are constructed in compliance with the Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Universal Accessibility in India, issued in 2021. This will guarantee that the infrastructure meets the required standards for accessibility, making public transport more inclusive for people with disabilities
Vaishnavi Jayakumar of Disability Rights Alliance (DRA) said “At a time when we are investing on manufacturing driverless trains, the station infrastructure too, must be designed in such a way that disabled persons don’t have to depend on a staff to enter the station, board a train or exit the station,” as reported by The Hindu.
