Residents of Alwarpet, one of the many hi-fi localities in Chennai, have strongly opposed construction of a Metro Rail Station in their locality, fearing that it might throw off gear the livelihood rights of hundreds of merchants and traders.

As part of its expansion project to cover all localities in Chennai, the Chennai Metro Rail Corporation (CMRC) has been constructing metro rail stations besides laying tracks to connect the whole of the city with its suburbs. Metro Rail Station at Alwarpet on the ever-bustling T.T.K. Road was necessitated as it falls on the Poonamallee-Lighthouse sector of Metro Rail services.

Rail track from Lighthouse to Kodambakkam would be laid underground, while the track from Kodambakkam to Poonamallee would be laid above the ground. CMRC decided to construct Alwarpet Metro Rail Station at the junction of T.T.K. Road and Bharadhidasan Street and had carried out preliminary surveys in this regard.

However, when the traders and merchants in the locality were handed out eviction notices (albeit with financial compensation) to vacate, the merchants opposed the construction of the Metro Rail Station at the place. They organized a hurriedly arranged meeting at a private marriage hall and passed resolutions urging the State Govt. to consider place near Demonte Colony to construct the Station.