The new eight-metre-wide foot overbridge is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 240 million and is expected to be opened by March. It will be equipped with nine lifts and 10 escalators, enabling quicker and more convenient movement for passengers from both sides of the station.
At present, the existing foot overbridge has escalators only at the eastern and western entrances, forcing passengers to use stairways to reach several platforms. This has caused significant inconvenience, particularly for senior citizens and long-distance travellers who need to access six of the station’s 10 platforms.
Passengers arriving at Tambaram station also face difficulties, as they must use stairs to reach parking areas on either side of the station. According to a senior official from the Chennai Division of Southern Railway, passenger traffic has increased substantially since Tambaram was designated as the city’s third railway terminal, with more commuters from south Chennai opting for mail and express trains from the station.
Although the Railway Board has approved the redevelopment of Tambaram station into a full-fledged terminal, the new foot overbridge is being constructed as an interim measure to address passenger hardship. The bridge will also create a new pathway, enabling faster access between the two sides of the station.
Last year, Southern Railway upgraded the station’s yard by adding new platforms and tracks to accommodate more trains and enhance operational efficiency. The new foot overbridge is expected to further strengthen Tambaram’s infrastructure and improve the overall passenger experience.
