As the Metro halted at Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central station, the doors parted not just to the city’s heartbeat — but to a new haven for book lovers. Opened on June 10 by CM MK Stalin, the Chennai Book Park now stands tall within the Metro premises, occupying 5,000 sqft of curated literary joy.

Set up by the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation at a cost of ₹1.85 crore, this park isn’t just a library—it’s a living, breathing gallery of stories, from children’s tales to constitutional texts, novellas to textbooks. Stepping in through A3 exit, you’re greeted by glass walls hiding not time, but timeless tales.

Inside, a rich mix of readers wander. Office-goers pause before work, children press against shelves, and parents scout for schoolbooks. For some, like advocate Jothi Sankar, stumbling upon legal texts amid general books was a thrill. For others, like Kannagi, it was a lucky detour that brought a discounted schoolbook home.

The library offers all non-textbook titles at a 10% discount, drawing in college graduates like Asvitha and first-time Chennai visitors like Sri Vigneshwaran. He found long-sought titles like Caste Pride and Spies, Lies and Allies. Yet, some noticed a lack of political balance in book selections.

The Book Park also houses a 30-seater release hall and a hidden café, struggling for visibility behind bookshelves. Run by Chennai Mission, the café hopes to gain footfall soon.

In just five days, over 5,000 books sold. It’s a quiet revolution, powered by paper and people.