Egmore Rly Stn to become more passenger friendly

S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @Svs037 

Egmore Railway Station in Chennai is set to become more passenger friendly, thanks to renovations measures which have been initiated. The station is going to be renovated under ‘Station Redevelopment Programme.’

Chennai division of Southern Railway is said to have commenced the work work providing more passenger amenities at the station at a cost of Rs 20 crore sanctioned by Railway Board.

Works are expected to witness completion by 31 March next year. Sources further say, three waiting Halls, duly renovated with improved amenities have been proposed to be provided at Chennai Egmore. While one of it will be a pre-paid AC waiting hall, the other two would be an upper class waiting hall and a second class waiting hall.  

Pre-paid AC waiting hall and second class waiting hall will be equipped with disabled-friendly toilets, baby feeding room and dress change room. The things dont end there, AC dormitories and retiring rooms at the first floor of the station building are also being renovated and works are under progress.

The renovated AC dormitory will be equipped with 14 beds, 16 retiring rooms (8 AC & 8 Non-AC ) will also be commissioned and works are underway. Passengers will be having more at the popular train boarding spot.

Three elevators are being provided at Platform No.4 for ease of access to the AC waiting hall, AC dormitories and retiring rooms located in the first floor of the station.

Five new escalators will also be established at Egmore station, they will provide easy access to platforms from circulating area and concourse for the passengers. One escalator each will be established at Platform No 7,8,9 and Gandhi Irwin Road side of the station.

Two escalators will be provided at Platform No.10/11 with one each at Chennai Beach and  Tambaram end. While three escalators are already working at Platform 3/4, and 5/6 and second entry to the station at Poonamallee High Road, the additional escalators will hopefully bring more comfort to passengers.
 
Works are under progress for one additional wide foot-over bridge at Chennai Egmore and this will connect Gandhi Irwin Road and Chennai Metro Rail and also inter-connect all the platforms at the Egmore Station.

Work towards establishing a modern two-storey parking of two wheelers at second entry (Poonamalle roadside) of Egmore Railway Station along with a four- wheeler parking at ground floor (Gandhi Irwin Road side) is in progress.

The existing car parking will be shifted to the location near the present spacious two wheeler parking to facilitate parking for more vehicles.

Additional seating arrangements are provided at platforms by providing stainless steel chairs. Double discharge platform works are in progress in platform 11 (upline) for suburban passengers at Egmore station to facilitate passengers to commute freely to Egmore Metro Station in second entry at Poonamallee High road.