Kumari Palany & Co

CMRL to have more kiosks selling tea, coffee and snacks

Posted on: 28/Mar/2019 12:03:16 PM
Chennai Metro Rail journey has thus far been dry and silent! Soon, you are to munch on some snacks and sip your favorite beverage! Yes, the CMRL is looking to open up food kiosks and a couple of other retail outlets across 9 metro stations. Metro rail sources say that this is aimed at increasing overall revenue generated while also catering to the needs of commuters.

Tenders are rolled out inviting companies and big brands to set up kiosks. This shall be worked out under license basis. In just 4 months, the CMRL stations are to get these kiosks. Predominantly, these kiosks will sell out snacks and beverages. It is important to note that the commuters should finish off the snack being on the platform, and should not take it inside the train and paid metro station areas.

The list of stations where these kiosks are to be set up includes

  • Koyambedu
  • Anna Nagar East
  • Shenoy Nagar
  • KMC
  • Thirumangalam
  • Nehru Park
  • Saidapet
  • Nandanam
  • Teynampet

Where?

The overall space area of these kiosks will be 10-35 sq.m. These kiosks will be set up along street level areas of the station or at the entrance or parking area. Officials say these kiosks are going to be present in locations where even outsiders will be able to buy their snack.

Existing Kiosks

Currently, in stations including Koyambedu, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar, Alandur and Airport, there are renowned food brand kiosks already functional in the station. In Koyambedu station, the kiosks is reachable for metro travelers as well as common public. They can grab their beverage or snack and walk away with it. The kiosks are very close to the road. Likewise, there are coffee shops and sweet shops functional at street level.

As far as the underground stations are considered (Shenoy Nagar, for instance), the eateries are located in non-paid areas or at ticketing level. Owing to insufficient patronage and excessive rent, one such kiosks got shut.

There is no such kiosk at underground stations including Anna Nagar East, Nehru Park, or Thirumangalam. These were notably opened back in May 2017. There are commercial spaces present in Nandanam, Teynampet and Saidapet. These stations were inaugurated in May 2018, but the commercial areas are kept unused.

Officials add that commercial developments inside the metro station will be set up through separate tenders. Necessary works for the same are taking place by the central metro, they add.