Iconic Egmore Railway Station all set for Rs 450 cr revamp
The targeted period for completion of the project is 24 months from the award of the project. Chennai Egmore was built in 1906–1908 as the terminus of the South Indian Railway Company.
Chennai: The 114-year old Egmore Railway Station, one of the most and iconic structures of Chennai, is all set for a massive revamp at a cost of Rs 450 crores.
To cope with the ever increasing passenger traffic, the existing infrastructure and passenger amenities at Chennai Egmore will be revamped, keeping abreast with the times, Southern Railway sources said. The project will be executed on Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contract (EPC) mode.
The targeted period for completion of the project is 24 months from the award of the project. Chennai Egmore was built in 1906–1908 as the terminus of the South Indian Railway Company.
The building built in Gothic style with imposing domes and corridors, is one of the prominent landmarks of Chennai. The main entrance to the station is situated on the Gandhi-Irwin Road and the rear entrance on the Poonamallee High Road.
The station handles about 35 main line trains and 240 suburban trains, and about two lakhs passengers daily. The total passenger earnings per year by the station in 2020-2021 was Rs 125.136 crore.
The station serves not only the south, but also the north (Hyderabad), East (Howrah) and west (Mumbai) with direct trains from the Chennai Egmore station.
As per Railway board instructions Egmore Railway Station will be redeveloped with improved passenger amenities and by revamping the station building and facilities.
The proposed works included redevelopment of station buildings, platform surfaces and circulating area on par with world-class standards, efficient handling of train services and passenger movements, besides providing facilities for maintenance and operations, hassle-free movement for Outward and Inward passengers through dedicated entry/exit on the platforms, concourse and circulating areas.
The project also aims at harmonious development of the Station with the surrounding Chennai city, which includes design for seamless flow for pedestrians between public and private transport, boarding/alighting points and station premises as well as minimizing the walking distance.
The circulating area will be designed for inter-modal transfer facilities with efficient, convenient and aesthetic solutions to connectivity and integration between various modes of transport. Ramps, escalators and lifts will be provided, facilitating ease of movement of differently-abled passengers.
The station will be upgraded providing modern amenities like adequate washrooms, water coolers, shaded seating and escalators. Wide parking facilities will be provided for various modes of transportation such as Taxis, 2-wheeler and Autorickshaws.
Provision of multi-level car parking will also be given to avoid the congestion in parking space. A separate pavement will be provided for drop-offs/ pickups for hassle free movement of vehicles to the maximum possible extent.
