The Hindu 10.08.2009
Chennai Central station to get world-class facilities in 5 years
S. Vijay Kumar
| High-level committee formed to expedite implementation |
SET FOR MORE: A sum of Rs.100 crore has been sanctioned for the modernisation programme.
CHENNAI: The Chennai Central will be among three stations in Southern Railway that will get world-class facilities in terms of infrastructure, passenger amenities and security in five years. The other stations are Tiruvananthapuram and Mangalore.
According to Additional General Manager (Southern Railway) V. Carmelus, the Ministry of Railways had sanctioned Rs.100 crore to each of these stations for the modernisation programme.
“We have completed several rounds of brainstorming sessions and a tentative scheme has been finalised. The Railway Board may go for architectural consultancy to decide on the aesthetic aspects,” Mr.Carmelus told The Hindu here on Sunday.
A high-level committee comprising senior railway officials had been formed to expedite the implementation. The scheme would be implemented in less than five years. “The facilities will be of international standards and at the same time designed to suit local conditions.”
Multilevel platforms
Explaining the salient features of the modernisation plan, Mr.Carmelus said that multi-level platforms would be created to operate express and suburban trains to arrive and depart from the same complex. The Chennai Metro project would have a link on completion.
In view of the space constrains in and around Chennai Central, multi-level parking lots would also be created. “Escalators, elevators and walk-elaters will be established to make passenger movement easy. Uni-flow arrangement with separate arrival and departure route for passengers will be provided to ease congestion,” he said. Intensified security was one of the vital components of the plan. Besides strict access-control measures, high-resolution cameras would be installed for the closed circuit television (CCTV) network. Mr.Carmelus said 21 railway stations in the zone had been chosen as ‘Adarsh’ stations where modern facilities would be in place in about a year.
The stations included six in Kerala. Except Tiruchi, 14 stations in Tamil Nadu were located in Chennai. “The focus is on congestion-free movement of passengers, spacious parking, quality food stalls and adequate water supply.”
