Kilambakkam Railway Station Set to Open by July First Week
Bus commuters facing difficulty accessing the Kilambakkam Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT), located 25-30 km from Chennai, can expect relief soon as train services at the Kilambakkam railway station are set to begin by the first week of July. According to Divisional Railway Manager B Vishwanath Eerya, one platform and shelters have been completed, while the second platform will be ready within 30 days. A temporary ticket office will also be set up. However, train stoppages will commence only after the state government completes the foot overbridge (FOB), as operating without it poses a safety risk for passengers.
Construction of a 450-metre pedestrian skywalk, connecting KCBT to the railway station across GST Road, is expected to resume soon. This skywalk will be equipped with escalators on both sides, removing the need for pedestrians to cross the busy roadway. The 1.45-acre land acquisition issue near the station has been resolved after the landowner, Premier Leather Corporation, submitted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the state government. Although the acquisition process is ongoing, the NOC has allowed the government to begin building the FOB pillars. The final land price is yet to be determined as per the Madras High Court`s direction.
Earlier delays in construction were due to required design modifications to meet Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) guidelines. Southern Railway`s bridge wing has now approved the revised plans, which have been submitted for final government approval. Additionally, the Chennai division has repositioned the third track at Kilambakkam, laid a new 400-metre line, and dismantled the old one to make space for an island platform. This will enable passengers to board trains from both sides, improving overall convenience and connectivity for commuters.
