CHENNAI (Metro Rail & Steel): Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) marked its foundation day with a generous offer, allowing commuters to traverse the bustling cityscape at an incredible flat fare of Rs 5. Initially set for December 3, the special fare day has now been extended to December 17, in light of the impending Cyclone Michaung threatening north Tamil Nadu. The gesture aims to boost digital payment modes and encourage passenger patronage amid the storm’s anticipated impact on travel.
The offer, applicable solely for single journey e-QR tickets purchased via digital platforms such as PhonePe or WhatsApp, excluded Singara Chennai and Travel Card holders, as well as paper tickets and Store Value passes issued through the CMRL app. The promotion emphasizes the CMRL’s push for digital payment avenues.
Originally intended as a one-day affair on December 3, the CMRL extended the discounted fare due to the anticipated decrease in passenger numbers owing to Cyclone Michaung’s arrival and the ensuing heavy rainfall predictions in Chennai and neighboring districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) identified the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, elevating into Cyclone Michaung (pronounced ‘Migjaum’). Presently positioned approximately 310 kilometers off the Chennai coast, the cyclone is expected to traverse the north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts on December 4. The landfall is forecasted between Nellore and Machillipattinam on December 5, raising concerns about intensified rainfall and potential disruptions to local transportation.
