Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said that Southern Railway plans to double train capacity in Chennai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, and in Ernakulam in Kerala, by 2030 to meet rising passenger demand. He also announced major upgrades to coaching terminals at key Southern Railway centres, including Chennai, Coimbatore and Ernakulam (Kochi), to support this expansion.
“We are expanding coaching terminals, enhancing sectional and operational capacities in various cities to meet rising passenger demand and reduce congestion. This move will upgrade our railway network and improve nationwide connectivity,” the Southern Railway press release quoted the minister as saying.
New Terminal and Suburban Connectivity in Chennai
The redevelopment of Chennai Egmore station will include airport-like separation of passengers and two air-conditioned terminal buildings. The station will also have 44 lifts, 31 escalators and a concourse spread over 14,000 square metres. Tambaram station will get nine lifts and better integration for suburban train services, according to the release.
A new terminal at Perambur, built at a cost of Rs 342 crore with seven platforms, will help reduce crowding at Chennai Central and Egmore. The release said suburban connectivity will also improve through multi-tracking projects such as the Chennai Beach–Egmore fourth line, which has been commissioned, and the Attipattu–Gummidipundi third and fourth lines, which have been sanctioned.
In Coimbatore, Podanur Junction will be developed as a second terminal with an investment of Rs 100 crore for stabling and pit lines. Coimbatore North station is being redeveloped at a cost of Rs 11.5 crore, with new entry points and passenger facilities. Meanwhile, the Coimbatore Junction public-private partnership project, estimated at Rs 692.65 crore, is currently at the detailed project report stage, the release mentioned.
Kochi, also known as Ernakulam, is a major railway hub on the Southern Railway network and plays a crucial role in connecting Kerala with the rest of the country.
Redevelopment to be carried out in two phases
The redevelopment of Ernakulam Town railway station will be carried out in two phases at a total cost of Rs 150.28 crore. The work has been planned in a way that passenger services continue without disruption during construction, as per the official release.
The city’s rail network includes Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Tripunithura stations, which together handle a large volume of passenger and freight traffic, the release said.
These stations act as key gateways for long-distance, intercity and passenger trains, supporting Kochi’s commercial, industrial and tourism sectors while ensuring smooth rail connectivity across the region.
The release said Phase I of the redevelopment is currently underway in the southern part of the station area. Existing facilities such as staff quarters, the parcel office, duty station master room, substation and OFC rooms have been relocated to allow the work to move forward.