Tambaram station gets spruced up

Tambaram, the third most important station in the city after Chennai Central and Egmore, has witnessed constant development over the last few years. The newly constructed, partially opened second entrance on the eastern side is the latest in this series of upgradations. This is a much-needed addition as the station has an average of 250 suburban trains operating on this route, 170 of them alone being between Chennai Beach and Tambaram: the station sees a footfall of about 1,50,000 passengers a day. 

A senior official from the Tambaram railway station said, “The east entrance is among the busiest ones, with commuters from Selaiyur, Kamarajapuram, Irumbuliyur and parts of Chitlapakkam and Madambakkam using it. Its widening and renovation, planned at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore, was done with the aim of reducing congestion.”

The new entrance includes facilities, such as a two-way road, a pathway, lighting, pay toilets and a roundabout for vehicles to enter and leave the station. There is an archway and an enhanced parking lot too. The entire area will be opened for public use within a month’s time. 

Passengers have appreciated the changes, but felt that the parking area required more attention. M. Manivanan, a resident of Tambaram, said, “Due to the construction work at the entrance, the parking area was relocated. The monthly pass motorists and those who park on a day-to-day basis, have been allotted the same area. This creates a hassle as more bikes are scattered here too, making it very crowded during rush hours. Also, people tend to park their vehicles on the road alongside the railway quarters.”