Guindy station redevelopment nearing completion, says Southern Railway

Redevelopment work at Guindy Railway Station, under the Centre’s Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, is progressing as per schedule, with nearly 80% of the works being completed at an estimated cost of ₹13.01 crore, Southern Railway officials said.

According to a senior Railway official, key commuter amenities have already been commissioned. Lift installation at Platforms 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the Race Course side has been completed and commissioned, and has significantly improved accessibility for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and passengers carrying heavy luggage. Circulating area work on the Race Course side has also been completed.

Parking facilities on both the GST Road and Race Course sides have been commissioned, helping ease congestion and improve traffic flow around the station precinct, the official said.

Guindy station serves as a major transit point for commuters using the Beach–Chengalpattu EMU services. Many EMU passengers from Saidapet and Mambalam also travel to Guindy to access Metro services towards north Chennai.

As part of efforts to improve multimodal connectivity, work to build a direct pedestrian foot overbridge linking all EMU platforms to the Guindy Metro Station is under way, and is expected to be completed within two months.

A narrow passage near the exit towards the Metro, where commuters say the presence of a container kept for redevelopment works has led to the area being misused.
| Photo Credit:
T. Arvind

Sanitation concerns

Despite the improvement works, commuters complained that a narrow stretch near the Metro exit gate was being used as a urinal, causing a foul smell and discomfort for passengers. “A large container near the exit gate has become a convenient spot for such activities,” explained Sundari Venkatesan, a regular commuter who switches from EMU services to the Metro at Guindy.

Railway officials said that a container placed near the exit is being used temporarily by the contract staff for the storage of construction materials, and would be shifted shortly.

Echoing concerns on accessibility, Sri Krishna, an engineering student who often accompanies his grandmother for medical check-ups, stressed on the need for ramps at key points to assist senior citizens: “Wheelchairs would also be helpful.”

However, for many commuters such as Regina and Dilli, the provision of multiple exit points near Platforms 1 and 1A is crucial. “When several trains arrive at the same time, there is crowding on the stairs, making it difficult to reach the roadside to board buses,” they said. “However, the additional platforms are of great help to us,” said Dilli.

Officials added that 90% of the construction work for a new booking office has been completed, and a new toilet building and re-roofing of platform shelters are ready to use.