Chennai railway stations set for transformation

In a significant development, 15 railway stations under the Chennai division of Southern Railway (SR) are slated to undergo a comprehensive upgrade as part of the Amrit Bharat station scheme. The primary objective of this initiative is to elevate the overall travel experience for passengers by enhancing facilities and services across the designated stations. According to a press release from SR, the railway stations falling within the Chennai Beach-Chengalpet section are the focus of this ambitious upgrade. The identified stations include Chennai Beach, Chennai Park, St Thomas Mount, Guindy, Mambalam, Guduvanchery, and Chengalpet. Additionally, Perambur, Thiruvallur, Arakkonam, Tiruttani, Jolarpettai, Gummidipoondi, Sullurupeta, and Ambattur stations are also on the list for transformation. The slated improvements encompass a wide range of enhancements tailored to meet the specific needs of each station. Key features of the upgrade include improvements to the station facade, establishment of new booking offices, creation of pedestrian plazas, resurfacing of platform flooring, replacement of aging roofing sheets, redevelopment of parking areas, provision of lifts and escalators for existing Foot Over Bridges (FOB), installation of passenger information systems, an upgraded public announcement system, provision of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance, and the construction of a new station building at Chengalpet.