Wider, fully equipped subway to connect Central with RGGGH

The construction work on subway would be completed in two months, said a senior CMRL official. The subway connecting Central-Moore Market Complex with RGGGH would be the third pedestrian facility at the Central Metro station on EVR Periyar Salai. Two pedestrian subways connect the Park Station with MMC and Ripon Building side to help commuters reach their destination without having to cross the busy road.

“The opening of the pedestrian subway connecting the Central-MMC side with the government hospital with escalator facilities would prevent jaywalking across the busy EVR Periyar Salai-Pallavan Road overbridge junction. This will be one of the longest subway starting right in front of the MMC and the entrance of the Central station on the MMC side and connecting the bus stop at GH,” the official said.

Unlike the existing pedestrian subways constructed by the State Highway department, the subways being constructed by CMRL would be wider and would have escalators to make mobility comfortable and safe for pedestrians. The Metro subways would be8.9 metre wide and could accommodate a larger number of people at a time. In contrast, the existing subways are only three metres wide.

“The existing pedestrian subway which is maintained by the Highways department connecting the Central station and the GH is too narrow to accommodate large volume of commuters. Most people prefer to cross the EVR Periyar Salai-Pallavan Road overbridge junction rather than using the congested subway,” said a traffic police personnel at the junction.

The people would be using the pedestrian facility if it was provided with amenities like lift and escalators, he said, adding that once it is opened for the public use, they would be able to prevent people from crossing the road and ask them to use the subway.