Guindy and St. Thomas Mount Railway Stations To Become Railway Heads
Text: A. Elumalai, Chief Public Relations Officer (Chennai Division), Southern Railways
The Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu stretch is recognized as the most heavily trafficked segment in the Chennai Division, witnessing daily passenger volumes in the hundreds of thousands. Within this corridor, the railway stations at Guindy and St. Thomas Mount stand out due to their central positions within the city of Chennai. These stations have been selected for upgrades during the initial stage of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The ambition is to finalize enhancements at both locations by the conclusion of the current fiscal year.
A. Redevelopment of Guindy Railway Station under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme:
The Guindy train station is a significant hub, recording daily patronage exceeding 60,000 individuals. It acts as a crucial access point for prestigious academic entities, including but not limited to Anna University and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, alongside several other institutions specializing in engineering and humanities. Additionally, this station is noted for its proximity to the esteemed Guindy Race Club and the Guindy National Park. The well-known Phoenix shopping center is also situated in the vicinity of the station.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme of Indian Railways, Guindy station is set to transform with enhanced facilities at a cost of Rs. 13.50 Crores.
The following redevelopment works have been planned and the work is in progress:
- New Booking office on GST road side with elegant façade
- Improvements to Circulating area on GST road side and Race course side for better vehicular movement and pedestrian movement
- Public toilets on both entries
- Resurfacing of all platforms
- Re-roofing of platform shelters
- Development of a two-wheeler parking area
- Provision of improved passenger information display system in platforms and concourse
- Provision of CCTVs
- Provision of lifts under the Foot over Bridges (3 nos.)
B. Redevelopment of St. Thomas Mount Railway Station under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme:
St. Thomas Mount Railway Station, strategically located on the Chennai Beach-Tambaram line, serves the varied transportation requirements of urban travelers effectively. It receives its title from its patron, St. Thomas, who was among the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Its proximity to St. Thomas Mount, a notable hillock, infuses the locale with not only spiritual resonance but also historical import. The station has become an essential hub for trade and is pivotal in providing expedited travel connections throughout the metropolitan area.
St. Thomas Mount is poised to emerge as a major intermodal hub integrating suburban, Metro, MRTS, and MTC transit systems with the impending completion of the MRTS Phase-II project between Velachery and St. Thomas Mount.
With daily passenger numbers exceeding 30,000, St. Thomas Mount railway station is scheduled for extensive renovations, with budget allocations amounting to Rs 14.15 crore.
The following redevelopment works have been planned and work is in progress:
- New booking offices: 2 nos
- Circulating area redevelopment
- Resurfacing of all platforms
- Re-roofing of platform shelters
- Additional Platform shelters in PF no. 1A
- Development of two-wheeler parking area on both sides
- New second entry from CMRL side with new Booking office block, Two-wheeler & four wheeler parking and pedestrian path
- Provision of improved passenger information display system in platforms and concourse
- Provision of CCTVs
The objective of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is to enhance the infrastructure, surroundings, and facilities of railway stations. This initiative intends to provide a comprehensive and improved travel experience to passengers by redeveloping railway stations with amenities comparable to international standards.pen_sparktunesharemore_vert