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Chennai Central Railway Station

Chennai Central Railway Station is the main station of the city. Being one of the major railway stations, it is connected to all the prominent cities like New Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bhopal, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna and many more. It is in fact the first station in India to be placed on the cyber map.

History of Chennai Railway Station:

Chennai Central Railway Station


The Central Railway Station has a historical significance as during the British Era this 138-year-old building served as main gateway for all those people who traveled to South India at that time.  Chennai central, which was formally known as Madras Central, was a result of expansion by Madras Railway Company.

After the completion of the first railway station at Royapuram in 1856, the need for the second station raised. And in 1873, Madras central was built at Parktown. The open ground, John Pereira's Gardens, on which the station was built belonged to a Portuguese man, Joao Pereira de Faria (John Pereira). It was in 1907, when Madras Central was made as the company’s main station. And in 1979, the electrification of the station lines began.

Structure of Chennai Railway Station:


The station was initially designed by architect George Harding but the expansion and further redesigning was done and completed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm in 1990. It was him, who added the tallest tower of the building – the 136 ft long central clock tower. Declared as one of the heritage building, this station is built in Gothic Revival and Romanesque style.

Structure of the Chennai Central Station


The station has total of 15 platforms. Around 12 platforms handles long distance trains while 3 platforms are for north and west bound suburban trains. The complex which manages these suburban trains is a 13-storied annexe building known as Moore Market Complex Building. The length of the station is 950 m while, the average length of the railway track is 600 m. The station is a terminal station with bay platforms.

Train Maintenance at the Station:

For the primary maintenance, the trains of 18 to 24 coaches are sent to the Basin Bridge Train Care Center while, rest of the trains are sent to Chennai Central itself for cleaning. For easy merchandise cleaning contracts, the station has been divided into two zones, zone I (platforms 1-6) and zone II (platform 7-12). An electric loco trip shed is also present in the terminus known as the Basin Bridge electric loco trip shed.

Train Maintenance at Chennai Central


Bookshops, Internet cafes, shopping malls, emergency medical care and parking facilities are available at the station. And as far as the security is concerned, a bomb disposal squad of the railway protection force functions round the clock for the protection of the people.

With so many people traveling, there are accommodations to suit every pocket. Not only the city has affordable and excellent hotels but there are also good hotels near the station.

Hotels near the Chennai Central Station:


Here is a list of all the prominent hotels around the Chennai Central Railway Station:

  • The Mount Regency
    Address:
    Near Electronic Market
    Wallers Road
    Mount Road, Chennai
    Phone: 044-66598883

  • Amutha Residency
    Address
    : 10/1043, Opp To Mosque
    Pari Salai, Mogappair East, Chennai
    Phone: (044) 66753362

  • Aspni Inn
    Address
    : No 77, Near Ambica Empire Hotel
    Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Vadapalani, Chennai
    Phone: (044) 66581942

  • Parras Guest House
    Address
    : New No 141, Old No 76
    Between Vasanthi Theatre and Doveton Clock Tower
    Perambur Barracks Road, Purasawalkam, Chennai
    Phone: (044) 66426354

  • Seven Hills Villa
    Address:
    No 3/1, Behind Srm University
    Mens Hostel, Seven Hills Street
    Thirumalai Nagar, Ramapuram, Chennai
    Phone: (044) 66246169

  • New Lakshmi Lodge
    Address
    : No 16 Kennet Lane
    Opposite Egmore Railway Station
    Egmore, Chennai
    Phone: (044) 66369828

  • G R Guest House
    Address
    : No 31 & 32
    Opposite Kasi Theatre
    Anjugam Nagar 1st Street
    Ashok Nagar, Chennai
    Phone: (044) 66321932

  • Kvr Lodging Services
    Address:
    No 213, Near CMBT Bus Depot
    Jawaharlal Nehru Salai
    100 Feet Road, Koyambedu, Chennai
    Phone: (044) 66420725

  • Hotel Srm Central Park
    Address
    : No 15, Near Nehru Stadium
    Kumarappa Street Periamet
    Park Town, Chennai
    Phone: (044) 66369382

  • S J Guest House
    Address:
    No 44/9 Annai Flats 2nd Floor
    Behind Nungambakkam Police Station
    Kumarappa Street, Nungambakkam, Chennai
    Phone: (044) 66325821


About 350,000 passengers use the terminus every day, making it one of the most profitable stations of the Southern Railways along with Trivandrum Central. It is in fact, one of the cleanest stations in the country.

Also Read: Chennai Egmore Railway Station


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