Southern Railway Speeds Up Multi-Level Parking Projects at Egmore and Tambaram Stations
Chennai’s major railway hubs - Central, Egmore, Beach, and Tambaram - serve lakhs of passengers every day, making infrastructure upgrades essential. Among the most pressing issues has been the lack of proper parking facilities, especially at Chennai Egmore Railway Station, where motorists often struggle to find safe and organized parking spaces.
Parking Woes at Egmore
The situation near the Poontamallee High Road entrance, including the area in front of the ticket counter, remains congested as motorists park on the roadside due to limited space. Despite repeated police instructions, the absence of a structured parking zone forces commuters into difficult situations.
Gandhi Irwin Road Parking to Open This Month
To address this long-standing problem, Southern Railway has built an impressive multi-level parking facility on Gandhi Irwin Road.
Key features include:
- Five floors
- Parking space for 210 cars
- Dedicated slots for 240 two-wheelers
- Total built-up area: 19,362 sq. m
Southern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Senthamiz Selvan confirmed that land acquisition at this site was straightforward, allowing construction to progress quickly. The facility is expected to open for public use by the end of December.
Poontamallee High Road Parking to Follow in February
A second multi-level parking block, designed similarly to the Gandhi Irwin Road facility, is under construction at the Poontamallee High Road entrance.
However, this project has been delayed due to:
- Ongoing Metro rail work, and
- Land acquisition challenges
Officials say the structure will be ready by the end of February, helping ease congestion at one of the busiest access points of Egmore station.
Tambaram Station Next in Line
The spotlight has also turned to Tambaram Railway Station, which recorded a massive 3.4 crore passengers in FY 2024–25. Despite the high footfall, commuters say the station still lacks adequate facilities, including proper parking.
With plenty of vacant land surrounding the station, officials believe a multi-level parking facility can be developed here without major complications. Passenger associations have already urged authorities to begin work at the earliest.
A Big Boost for Chennai Commuters
Once completed, the upcoming parking facilities at Egmore and Tambaram will significantly reduce traffic congestion, improve convenience for passengers, and modernize the city’s railway infrastructure - bringing much-needed relief to daily commuters.
