How Metro Rail could add a dash of colour, make stations vibrant 

An exception: The images of the chieftains of ancient Tamil land painted on the pillars of the Alandur Metro Rail station under 
Singara Chennai 2.0.
| Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ

In January this year, Transport for London (TfL) announced that new artworks would be put up in the Tube network as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of Art on the Underground programme. From paintings to sculptures, the works of numerous artists were installed to transform the stations.

Artistic touch: This 2022 photograph shows murals being painted in the car parking area of the Chennai Central Metro Rail station.
| Photo Credit:
S.R. RAGHUNATHAN

The Stockholm subway system stands out for transforming several of its stations with magnificent art. Hence, it is popularly called the “world’s longest art gallery”, with nearly 90 stations beautified by art.

From Singapore to Moscow and from London to Stockholm, quite a few metro rail systems across the world have provided space for art and artists. Closer home, stations of Kochi Metro Rail have been adorned with stunning theme-based art.

But Chennai, despite nearing a decade of Metro Rail service, still looks bare, with the interiors of the stations devoid of murals or other artworks. Barring a few locations like Alandur and Chennai Central, where there are murals, the rest of the stations look just plain.

Ride gets more pleasant

Travelling in a few metro rail systems abroad, like London or even in Kochi, stood out for S. Sathish, a frequent commuter. Adding a splash of colour, giving a striking look to the station walls with art could make the ride more pleasant, he says.

“All of us who travel are mostly in a rush, aiming only to get to the destination. So, a mural or a sculpture or any form of art at stations makes travel seem a little less tiring. For someone like me, always engrossed in something, it was a delight to watch the art at some stations in London. It grabs the attention of a commuter at least for a brief period. It is not going to cost phenomenally for a project with such a high budget. It is disappointing that it has not been done in Chennai Metro Rail yet,” he says.

Smritika Srinivasan, an urban planner, says such initiatives significantly add to the social value of commuting, especially when they are maintained well. There are also multiple positive aspects to adding art in the mass rapid transit system. Since the system occupies a massive space in the city, it has great prospects for displaying various kinds of art.

Memorable Kochi

“If stations are done up with artwork and murals, it will elevate the journey, and as a woman commuter, I have felt a tad bit more safer travelling through those spaces. People could sometimes pause to look at the art or a sculpture. For instance, when I travelled in the Kochi Metro Rail, I vividly remember the theme-based art at stations,” she says.

Ms. Srinivasan notes that it is also an excellent means of representing a city’s culture and heritage. For a first-time visitor, this could be another great way of experiencing the city culture, she says.

G. Latha, an artist residing at Cholamandal Artists’ Village, says it creates a great impression about a city from the tourism point of view. Another benefit is that it could provide a lot of opportunities for artists. “It can be any form of art, portrait, landscape, or some installation. It could be the iconic structures of the city or even the people who make this city what it is. It could make the whole network beautiful and greatly improve the look of the city,” she says.

Non-fare revenue

Ms. Srinivasan says that in the absence of public spaces in the city, over time, these spaces could well be utilised as public spaces, and it would be good to capitalise on them. “When these spaces become vibrant, they could potentially be used for holding events or concerts. Art could create that ambience and facilitate holding small-scale events and has the potential to bring in some non-fare box revenue too for Chennai Metro. The Metro Rail spaces can also be used for promoting various initiatives the city is taking through exhibitions,” she adds.

Officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) say that they have created a few designs to beautify some of the major stations in the phase I network. “We hope to complete this project soon,” an official says.

While similar plans were considered sometime ago, art is still eluding the Metro Rail stations, to the disappointment of commuters.