This was decided at a high-level meeting here on Wednesday of officials from Southern Railway, Chennai Corporation, Chennai Metro Rail Corporation and other government agencies.

A senior railway official told Express, “The tenders have already been floated. Once the consultant is finalised, the master plan will be drafted and then the actual work will begin.”

Terming Wednesday’s discussions as primary, the official said it would help avoid duplication of work and also ensure that all interested parties complemented each other. “The main aim was to ensure proper coordination of all agencies involved in the project,” he added.

Chennai Central is among the three stations in Southern Railway that will get world-class facilities in terms of infrastructure, passenger amenities and security in another five years. It is also learnt that the railway ministry has sanctioned Rs 100 crore to each of these stations.

The official also said the projects would involve a string of passenger amenities of international standards — with provisions for escalators, elevators and walkalators, besides a host of facilities for arrival and departure of passengers.

Above all, multi-level platforms would be created for the arrival and departure of express and suburban services from the same complex. The security system would be upgraded with a strong CCTV network. A multi-level parking area would also be in place, apart from more subways and road over bridges. A link with Chennai Metro Rail would also be established.