NE BUSINESS BUREAU
CHENNAI, FEB 20
Come March, the upgradation and makeover of St Thomas Mount Station, located in the Chennai Beach – Tambaram section, at an estimated cost of Rs14.15 Crores, slated for completion by March is set to bring significant improvements in transportation and public amenities.
St. Thomas Mount is designed to become an important multi-modal junction in Chennai where several rail systems intersect. The existing MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) line that runs from Chennai Beach – Velachery will be extended up to St. Thomas Mount. Chennai Metro’s existing corridors, viz., the Green line from Central Metro to St. Thomas Mount and the Blue line from Wimco Nagar to Airport Metro pass via St. Thomas Mount. The Upcoming Chennai Metro Red line which connects Madhavaram to Sholinganallur passes through St. Thomas Mount suburban railway line. The nearest metro stations to St. Thomas Mount in the Red corridor are Alandur (North) and Adambakkam (South).
- Upgradation and makeover of St Thomas Mount Station at an estimated cost of Rs14.15 Crores is nearing completion
- With its connectivity with the nearing intermodal hub, integrating suburban rail, Chennai Metro and MTC services, its importance will increase
Thus, the St. Thomas Mount Junction is significant because it allows passengers to transfer between different rail systems – MRTS, Metro, and suburban rail – making it an important transit hub for south Chennai.
With an average footfall of 25,000 passengers per day, the station handles 201 EMU trains that stop at the station besides 98 Express trains passing through the station.
With its connectivity with the nearing intermodal hub, integrating suburban rail, Chennai Metro and MTC services, its importance will increase as a major multimodal hub to provide seamless movement for passengers. The ongoing upgradation of this station will elevate the travel experience for daily commuters, besides boosting accessibility to key city areas.
Being done at an estimated cost of Rs.14.15 Crores, St. Thomas Mount Railway station Upgradation project aims to modernize the station’s infrastructure and improve passenger amenities.
- Improvement to Station Facades: Enhancing the façade aesthetics on both the east and west sides of the station and entry arches on the bus stop side.
- New Booking Windows to cater to growing passenger demand
- Pedestrian Plaza : A newly developed pedestrian plaza with signages to improve accessibility and convenience
- Platform Upgrades : Resurfacing the flooring for all platforms and providing additional platform shelters
- Parking Area Redevelopment: Renovating the parking areas and strengthening the floors on both the main entry side and CMRL side.
- Passenger Information System : Passenger Information Display Boards and an improved Public Announcement System
- Security Improvements : Installation of CCTV cameras to enhance passenger safety and security
Work in progress and Timeline
The project is in an advanced stage of completion and is targeted for completion by March 2025.
Benefits to Commuters:
Enhanced facilities : The upgraded facilities including improved platforms, new booking offices, additional platform shelters, parking and vehicle fences will make travel convenient and comfortable for passengers and enhance the overall passenger experience besides increased footfall boosting local commerce and economic development of the surrounding region.
Improved connectivity : With commissioning of MRTS connectivity with Velachery and Metro station at St. Thomas Mount, the ease of travel from and to nearby commercial areas and places of worship such as St. Thomas Mount Church, which will attract more visitors and tourists, further supporting local businesses and improving livelihoods in the area.
The project will be completed by the end of March 2025, marking a significant milestone in improving Chennai City’s transportation infrastructure.
