Chennai Egmore Station Redevelopment: DEC Infra To Execute ₹734 crore Project Under PM Gati Shakti To Transform Iconic Station As Multi-Modal Hub

The redevelopment of 114-year old Egmore Railway, one of the most endearing structures of Chennai city, is set to begin soon with  Southern Railway picking Hyderabad-based firm DEC Infrastructure and Projects to execute the project on an EPC (Engineering procurement contract) basis.

The station is being redeveloped as part of PM Gati Shakti-National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity that aims to at upgrade important railway stations to international standards.

In May this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Chennai Egmore station.

The redevelopment of Chennai Egmore Station is estimated to cost Rs.734 crore and deadline for the project completion is 36 months. 

Chennai Egmore, built in 1906 –1908 as the terminus of the South Indian Railway Company, is based on Gothic style architecture with imposing domes and corridors. It is still regarded as one of the prominent landmarks of Chennai.

The station handles about 35 main line trains and 240 suburban trains, and about 2 lakhs passengers daily.

The redeveloped station will get world-class amenities and airport-like features such as separate arrival and departure corridors, bright illumination and hassle-free access to platforms by escalators, lifts and skywalks, intermodal connectivity and other amenities to meet requirements for 40 years.

The station redevelopment project will also provide enhanced infrastructure for efficient handling of train providing facilities for maintenance and operations. 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/private transport, boarding/ alighting points and station premises as well as minimising the walking distance

Under the project, circulating area will be designed for inter-modal transfer facilities with an 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. Sufficient parking facilities will be provided for various modes of transportation such as taxis, 2-wheelers and autorickshaws. A 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.

The nine stations are being redeveloped by Southern Railways including five in Tamil Nadu (Madurai, Katpadi, Rameswaram and Kanyakumari), three in Kerala and one in Puducherry.