Mobile connectivity still lacking in Metro’s underground stations

It has been more than a year since Chennai Metro Rail Limited opened the Tirumangalam-Nehru Park stretch for public. But it has not yet been able to bring in seamless mobile connectivity to the subterranean stretch. Barring Jio, which is the sole operational service provider, no other mobile network works on the underground segment now. 

CMRL, which boasts of world-class infrastructure, attributes the connection-free tunnels to a combination of factors. 

Some officials cite differences of opinion between telecom service providers and the company to which CMRL had awarded the contract to set up telecom infrastructure. Some others blame it on non-availability of time to execute the work. “The route is already operational. Only a brief window is available during the night to do the work. Hence, the delay,” a senior CMRL officer said. 

“Some telecom service providers just want to plug their wires to the infrastructure developed by the company we have awarded the contract to. They are unwilling to invest,” another CMRL officer said. He said cost was also a reason for the service providers and CMRL contractors being at loggerheads. 

CMRL was understood to have got in touch with a few telecom service providers to get connectivity. “We are in touch with service providers. Hopefully, in two months, mobile connectivity should be established in the stations and on trains,” the officer said.