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News18
22-07-2025
- News18
Tiruvannamalai Railway Station To Get A PFTR Terminal, All You Need To Know
Last Updated: This new development will focus on improving safety, cleanliness, and passenger comfort for long-distance trains. Southern Railway has unveiled a new plan to turn the historic Tiruvannamalai railway station into a full-fledged Platform Train Examination (PFTR) terminal. This upgrade will help maintain long-distance trains with safety checks and civic upkeep like cleaning coaches and filling water tanks. The move comes as part of the Station Redevelopment Project, which has already restored the station's old charm while adding airport-like features such as LED lighting, escalators, lifts, skywalks, and even rainwater harvesting. Why the Change Now? Two key reasons are behind this decision. First, the current PFTR terminal at Villupuram is overcrowded, leading to delays and congestion. Second, with more pilgrims heading to the famous Arunachaleswara Temple, there's a growing need for better train services directly to Tiruvannamalai. As per The Hindu, railway officials say the revamped station will help accommodate additional long-distance trains, especially during temple festivals, making travel smoother for visitors. What's in Store? The new PFTR terminal will handle safety checks for trains like Shatabdis, Intercities, and double-deckers. Tasks such as brake tests, axle checks, lighting inspections, and coach disinfection will be part of the daily routine. Passengers can also expect a better travel experience thanks to improved cleanliness, lighting, and basic services in trains halting at the station. The station's location — close to the new bus terminus and main roads — makes it ideal for turning into a busy travel hub. With plans for four rail lines, the terminal will boost capacity and cut delays. Currently, the station serves around 8,000 passengers and 15 trains daily. With the new terminal, both these numbers are set to rise. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- The Hindu
Southern Railway plans to convert Tiruvannamalai railway station into PFTR terminal
The Southern Railway has proposed a plan to convert the existing railway station in Tiruvannamalai town intoa platform train examination (PFTR) terminal to conduct basic safety checks and civic maintenance of long-distance trains including replenishing water supplies and cleaning the coaches. Officials of the Southern Railway, which has spearheaded the project, said that the British era railway station was restored under the Station Redevelopment Project. The project aims to provide better passengers amenities with airport-like features, including separate arrival and departure corridors, bright LED illumination, hassle-free access to platforms through escalators, lifts and skywalks and a rainwater harvesting system. 'The proposed terminal of the Tiruvannamalai railway station will help pilgrims visiting the Arunachaleswara temple easily as more long-distance trains will halt at the railway station,' a railway official told The Hindu. 'Railway officials said that as per plan, the railway station will be developed as PFTR terminal, which takes care of maintenance of all trains including Shatabdis, Intercities and double decker trains. It also includes rolling in and rolling out of trains at the railway station, where movement of trains will be checked by railway engineers as part of safety checks. Brake release and axle box examinations will also be done at the proposed terminal to ensure safety of commuters. The proposed terminal will also take care of civic amenities in trains such as water supply, lighting, and cleanliness, including disinfecting of coaches. 'The proposed terminal will convert the railway station into a busy transport hub for the temple town due to its proximity to the new bus terminus and arterial roads,' said B. Sampath, a trader. Railway officials said that two factors necessitated the formation of a new terminal at Tiruvannamalai railway station. First, the existing PFTR terminal at Villupuram railway station has become congested due to the increasing number of trains coming to the station. This had resulted in operational delays and late arrival of trains at Villupuram railway station. Secondly, there has been a growing demand for additional trains to accommodate long distance travellers, who are on pilgrimage to the town. This is another reason for the proposed terminal project at the railway station, which will have four rail lines to ensure smooth operation of trains. At present, Tiruvannamalai railway station handles around 15 trains, mostly express and passenger trains, and over 8,000 passengers every day on its three platforms.
