Southern Railway Opens New Sports Facility at Velachery Railway Station, Chennai
As part of a project to optimally utilise railway land and strengthen community infrastructure, Southern Railway has inaugurated a new sports facility at the outer premises of Velachery Railway Station, under the Chennai Railway Division.
The sports centre was inaugurated by Tej Pratap Singh, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai Division.
Revenue Generation Through Private Partnership
The facility has been developed by a private operator under a five-year licence agreement. Through this initiative, Southern Railway is expected to earn an annual revenue of ₹12.07 lakh, ensuring a steady and sustainable income stream from railway land assets.
Officials said the project reflects Indian Railways’ broader strategy of non-fare revenue generation while delivering social and recreational benefits to the public.
Sports and Fitness Facilities Available
The newly opened sports centre includes:
- Box cricket courts
- Pickleball courts
- Skating rink
- Dedicated space for Silambam (traditional martial arts) training
The centre has been designed to promote physical fitness, sports culture, and recreation, especially among youth and local residents.
First-of-Its-Kind Initiative in Chennai Division
Railway officials noted that this is the first sports facility of its kind to be established within the Chennai Railway Division premises, marking a significant step towards community-oriented infrastructure development by Southern Railway.
The initiative is expected to encourage active lifestyles while strengthening public engagement with railway infrastructure.
