Commuters and passengers using Chennai's bustling Egmore Railway Station can finally look forward to some relief from the chronic traffic snarls. The much-anticipated multi-level parking facility at the station's Gandhi Irwin Road entrance is on track for completion by the end of December this year.
A Key Pillar of the Egmore Redevelopment
This new parking structure is a central element of the broader plan to redevelop and modernize Egmore station. Built to tackle the persistent congestion that plagues the station and its neighboring streets, the facility is expected to significantly streamline the flow of vehicles. According to details provided by Southern Railway, the Gandhi Irwin Road parking block is a G+5 structure sprawling over 19,362 square meters.
Once operational, it will offer ample space for vehicles, with a capacity to accommodate 210 cars and 240 two-wheelers. A similar multi-level parking complex is also planned for the Poonamallee Road entrance of the station, following an identical design blueprint.
Why One Project Moved Faster Than the Other
Explaining the differing timelines for the two projects, Southern Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer, Senthamizh Chelvan, highlighted the challenges faced. He stated that land acquisition on the Gandhi Irwin Road side was comparatively smoother, allowing construction to progress rapidly. In contrast, the work on the Poonamallee High Road side has been hampered by concurrent metro rail projects and complexities in acquiring the necessary land. As a result, this second complex is now anticipated to be ready around February next year.
Activists Point to Tambaram as Next Priority
The discussion around parking solutions for railway stations has also brought focus to other major hubs in the city. Activist Dayanand Krishnan pointed out that among mainline stations, Tambaram recorded the highest number of originating passengers in the 2024–25 period, at a staggering 3.4 crore. He emphasized that the railways possess several vacant and unused land parcels in Tambaram. Constructing a similar multi-level parking facility there, he argued, would provide enormous relief to passengers and dramatically ease congestion in that area.
Unauthorized Auto Stands Remain a Challenge
While the new parking infrastructure is a positive step, local traffic police officials have flagged an ongoing issue that contributes to the chaos. They note that there are currently 14 unauthorized auto-rickshaw stands operating in the vicinity of Egmore station. Addressing these illegal operations will be crucial to ensuring the full benefits of the new parking facilities are realized and traffic movement is optimized.
The completion of the Gandhi Irwin Road parking lot by year-end marks a significant milestone in Chennai's efforts to improve urban mobility and passenger experience at one of its most important transit hubs.
