Southern Railway Commences Construction of New FOBs, Lifts at Walajah, Virunchipuram, Gudiyatham, Melattur Railway Stations

Work is underway at the Walajah Gate railway station in Ranipet to construct a footbridge with Southern Railway lifts. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Southern Railway has started construction of Foot Overpass (FOB) with lifts at Gudiyatham, Melathur, Virinchipuram and Walajah railway stations in Vellore and Ranipet districts.

Railway officials said the construction of new bridges with lifts at designated railway stations on the Chennai-Bengaluru route is part of the restoration work under the Station Redevelopment Project.

These stations will also get better amenities for passengers such as separate arrival and departure corridors, bright LED lighting, hassle-free platform access via lifts and a rainwater harvesting system. “The new lift bridges are to help senior citizens and women move from platforms to stations more easily and safely. They also help them carry luggage. The entire work will be completed in nine months,” said a railway official.

According to the plan, the new bridge will have at least 20 staircases on each side along the service lane of the section. Each facility will cost around ₹ 1.5 million on average including lifts (about ₹ 70 million). Shelters with lights and CCTV cameras will be provided on the bridge.

Both sides of the bridge will be fenced off to prevent accidental falls onto the roadway beneath the new facility. Ramps will be prepared for people with disabilities. “Small and key stations should have such modern facilities for long-distance passengers for safe and timely access of trains. It also helps prevent track crossings,” said R. Vimal, a commuter.

Railroad officials said the installation of elevators remains a major part of the project. Each elevator can accommodate at least 10 people on average. Unlike escalators, elevators are cost-effective and take up less space. It also consumes less electricity.

Located between major railway hubs such as Arakkonam and Jolarpet, these railway stations are located along the Palar River on the Chennai – Bengaluru – Coimbatore route. Most of these railway stations were established at the end of the 19th century.

On average, each railway station where bridge work is underway handles over 150 trains per day, mostly express trains and passenger trains. More than 3,000 commuters board trains daily at each of these railway stations.

Currently, lift bridges are available at Arakkonam, Katpadi (escalators and lifts), Jolarpet, Ambur and Vaniyambadi railway stations on the route. Railway officials said that the total distance of each bridge at these railway stations cannot be the same due to differences in the number of platforms.

Published – 23 Jul 2026 05:30 IST