Chennai Central may go world class
If everything goes according to plan, Chennai Central Railway Station will turn into a snazzy passenger and commercial hub in around two years. Minister of railways Suresh Prabhu launched through video conferencing an ambitious Rs 350 crore development programme that aims to turn the key station into a world class airport-like facility. Southern Railway general manager Vashishta Johri said the bid process would be completed in three to four months. "Once awarded, the railways will give a year and a half to complete the project," he added. Stating that 23 stations would be part of phase 1 of the programme, Suresh Prabhu said, "The commercial potential of vacant railway land near stations will be leveraged to develop world class stations with no additional funding requi red from the railways. The programme is expected to generate a surplus in excess of Rs 10,000 crore for the railways, which can be invested in other modernisation projects. Select high potential stations will be made iconic stations and will be developed as per the highest global standards and design norms."
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