CMRL Deploys NCC Cadets at Alandur and Guindy Metro Stations to Teach Transit Etiquette

The sight of commuters rushing to enter trains without giving way to those exiting is a frequent occurrence across Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) stations. In a bid to stop this practice and instil transit etiquette, CMRL has deployed National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets to guide passengers, starting at the Alandur Metro Rail station with plans to expand the initiative to other major hubs including Guindy.

During the initial phase of the initiative, a group of 25 NCC cadets was stationed at the Alandur Metro Rail station during peak hours over a two-day period. The cadets interacted directly with passengers to encourage orderly commuting habits and manage the flow of crowds in the mass rapid transit network.

According to CMRL officials, the initiative was launched in response to frequent complaints about commuters rushing into metro coaches before arriving passengers could deboard. Officials also reported receiving regular complaints about passengers playing music or watching videos out loud on device speakers during their journeys.

To address these issues, the cadets instructed commuters on several key safety and transit guidelines. Passengers were advised to wait for exiting passengers to alight before boarding the trains. They were also reminded to stand on the left and walk on the right while using station escalators to ensure smooth pedestrian movement.

Other guidelines highlighted by the cadets included staying behind the safety yellow line on the platforms, using earphones while listening to music or watching videos, and standing away from train doors during travel.

Following the deployment at Alandur, CMRL plans to scale up the programme. Over the next few months, the cadet-led awareness campaign will be extended to other high-footfall transit points during rush hours. These stations include Guindy, Thirumangalam, Chennai Airport, Thousand Lights, and Chennai Central.