Egmore rly station to have airport-like facilities: SR

CHENNAI: The proposed Rs 735-crore redevelopment of the Egmore railway station includes having separate arrival and departure terminals like airports, food courts, escalators and lifts, multilevel parking complexes, and big foot overbridges, the Divisional Railway officials announced on Sunday.

As per the plan prepared by a professional consultant appointed for this purpose, the redeveloped station would have separate arrival and departure terminals on both sides of the station “just like airports”, the railway division said in a social media post. There would be a big lounge and food court at the departure terminal and a smaller lounge at the arrival. Also, two multilevel parking complexes would come up on either side of the station, it said.

Among other facilities are two huge foot overbridges for passengers to move from one side of the station to the other and also to cross from one platform to another. Each platform would have separate escalators and lifts for smooth movement of arriving and departing passengers. The station would also have commercial establishments and food courts.

The old part of the station, which is a heritage structure, would not be touched during the proposed redevelopment, claimed the railways. As part of the works, the station interior would be spruced up reflecting the culture and history of Chennai, while its exterior would have gardens.

“The estimate has been prepared by a professional consultant and all aspects of the work involved - landscaping, interiors, artwork and world-class amenities have been included,” it added.

On Saturday, the Divisional Railway Manager had said that Egmore would be transformed into a truly world-class station in three years, adding that the issue of Letter of Acceptance for the Chennai Egmore redevelopment project.