Tue Apr 22 17:35:00 UTC 2025: ## Chennai Metro to Upgrade Ticketing Gates to Ease Congestion

**Chennai, India (April 23, 2025)** – The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is undertaking a significant upgrade to its ticketing system to address growing congestion and glitches at Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) gates. The upgrade involves replacing approximately 1,200 aging ticketing gates across the Phase I network.

Commuters have reported difficulties using the new Singara Chennai cards and QR code-based tickets, particularly during peak hours at busy stations like Guindy, AG-DMS, Thousand Lights, Chennai airport, and Chennai Central. While smartcard swiping generally functions smoothly, the newer ticketing methods have caused delays and occasional gate malfunctions.

CMRL has already issued tenders for the procurement of new gates. An official stated that if the contract is finalized within three months, the new gates are expected to arrive later this year, with replacement work completed within a year.

As an interim measure, CMRL has begun keeping gates in “open mode” during peak hours at stations with high footfall, specifically Thousand Lights. This allows for faster processing of Singara Chennai cards, mitigating queuing issues. However, the gate will lock if a passenger attempts to pass without a valid ticket. Safety measures including signage and station staff are in place to prevent accidents.

The aging infrastructure is the primary reason for the upgrade, as the existing AFC gates were installed over a decade ago and are struggling to handle the newer ticketing technologies. The replacement will ensure smoother operation and improved passenger experience.

Read More