Metro Rail invites bids for swanky office space in nine elevated stations

With 502 sqms, the link bridge in Vadapalani is the largest space available on the elevated network. CMRL has set ten years as the license period and the licensee can exit after a six-month’s notice of termination. 

“The space would mostly be in the unpaid areas, which would be accessible to all. Only then will the firms which open shop gain more traction. As a policy, we do not encourage food in paid areas, but we would allow it in unpaid areas with a precondition that they do not litter the place. The spaces are so vast they could easily set up offices in stations, which would be accessible from the Airport as well as Central,” said a senior CMRL official, speaking on condition of anonymity. 

One of the key conditions put forth by CMRL is the ban on plastic bags. The successful bidder must ensure that no polythene bag is utilised/used at the licensed area. Also, licensees should ensure proper segregation of food waste (dry and wet waste), before disposal of same.

While allowing alteration/renovation, interior design and partitioning of licensed spaces with the prior written approval, CMRL has also reserved the right to ask the licensee to restore the licensed premises as per the original allotment. A quarterly maintenance fee of Rs.125/sqms of actual area licensed as common area maintenance charge would be collected and the same would be increased by 20 per cent on a compounding basis, every three years, from the handing over of the vacant shops/ office spaces.