Renovation work at Tiruvannamalai railway station nears completion
Railway officials said that the restoration work had been undertaken after many years under the Station Redevelopment Project, which aims to provide better passengers amenities with airport-like features. They include separate arrival and departure corridors, bright LED illumination, hassle-free access to platforms through escalators, lifts and skywalks and a rainwater harvesting system.
The entire work is being done at a cost of ₹8.27 crore by Southern Railway. 'Once the entire work gets completed in the coming weeks, the railway station will attract more commuters,' S. Ellumalai, Station Railway Manager (SRM) of the station, told The Hindu.
At present, railway officials said that 65 LED street lights on platform two and three had been installed. Tiled flooring of these two platforms where most of the express trains from Villupuram to Tirupati section halts were completed. Each platform, on an average, measures 496 metres long. Existing 32 granite seating benches were being re-fixed again on these platforms.
Likewise, seven broad shelters in these platforms are also being installed. Each shelter is 16 metres long and can accommodate at least 50 persons at a time. Benches were also provided on these shelters. 'Adequate number of wheelchairs for commuters with disabilities should be required at the renovated station. Also, more long distance trains especially to pilgrims centres should be operated,' said K. Vanaja, a commuter.
Ticket counter area, which is around 2,200 sq.ft, at the entrance of the railway station is also refurbished with granite flooring, LED lights and digital information boards about train timings. Wash rooms, including the ones for commuters with disabilities, purified drinking water system and solar power panels have also been built.
Currently, work on landscaping, painting, dedicated parking lots for streamlined movement of vehicles and pedestrians in exclusive lanes are under progress.
Tucked between major railway junctions like Katpadi to the north and Villupuram to the south, the Tiruvannamalai railway station, which was established in the late 19th century, covers around 24 acres on Puducherry- Bengaluru High Road near Arunachaleshwara temple, connecting key stations like Vellore town, Katpadi, Arani Road, Walajah Road, Arcot, Sholinghur and Tiruvalam.
The station manages around 15 trains daily, primarily express and passenger trains, and serves over 8,000 passengers across its three platforms.
Most of the commuters are pilgrims to Tirupati and Arunchalaeswarar temple.
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