CMRL footfall shoots up to 1.2 lakh in 2 days

From 22,000, the footfall has shot up to 1,20,000 in just two days since the two new stretches of the CMRL were inaugurated, extending the metro connectivity to Anna Salai and Chennai Central.

According to CMRL officials, the daily ridership had more than doubled to 50,000 on the inaugural day, May 25. The following day, it had spiked to 1,20,500.

However, the rise in footfall would not have filled CMRL coffers proportionately, as CMRL had offered free rides on the first two days since the inauguration of the new stretches.

CMRL has been earning Rs 10.5 lakh daily since the commissioning of the 8km underground stretch from Koyambedu to Nehru Park via Shenoy Nagar on May 14.

Theoretically, Chennai Central – Airport and Anna Salai – Airport connectivity could help CMRL mop up more revenue considering that its ticket sale rose from a paltry Rs 4.5 lakh per day before the first underground segment was opened for public use.