Kumbakonam railway station poised for redevelopment
A ₹99-crore major redevelopment project to give a complete makeover to the Kumbakonam railway station is poised for implementation in the coming months.
The Southern Railway has floated a tender to identify an agency to carry the work.
The project was proposed by the Ministry of Railways following which the Southern Railway appointed a consultant for preparation of the master plan. A senior railway official said a comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared covering the master plan, design methodology, traffic survey, commercial development, sustainable design, landscape design, smart features, construction methodology, and plan and social and environmental impact assessment.
The official said the tender was floated a few days ago. Kumbakonam is a temple town housing several temples within the town and in its surroundings and nearby towns.
Kumbakonam railway station was opened to passenger service on February 15, 1877 during the colonial era when the erstwhile South Indian Railway existed. The station is classified as a NSG 4 (Non Suburban) station attracting tourists from all over the country.
As part of the redevelopment project, the existing railway station would be demolished and a new station building with world class amenities will be built.
Provision of separate entry and exit in the station; departure lobby with booking windows, ticket vending machines and queuing hall; escalators and lifts; concourse with different categories of waiting hall, lounges, baby care room and cloakroom; retail area with F&B outlets, various kiosks space for Tamil Nadu Tourism, taxi; charging station for electric vehicles; parking facility and installation of baggage scanners and door frame metal detectors are among the slew of key features proposed in the new station, according to the DPR.
Mahamaham
The official said the plan was to complete the work in one-and-a-half years from the date of award of work. The yard remodelling would be taken up separately. 'The tender formalities should be finished early and the whole project should be completed well before the next Mahamaham festival which is scheduled to be held in Kumbakonam on March 9, 2028', said A. Giri, secretary, Thanjavur District Railway Users Association.
The station with modern facilities should be ready for use to cater to the huge chunk of pilgrims visiting Kumbakonam for the month-long event, said Mr. Giri, a former member of the Tiruchi Divisional Railways Users' Consultative Committee.
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