CMRL gets approval for beautification work of central railway station

23 Jul 2021 CW Team

The Rs 400 crore Central Square project has almost been completed in front of Ripon Buildings. The beautification work is a part of it.

The project also includes additional passenger facilities for multi-modal integration to connect suburban trains, MRTS and metro rail with outstation buses and trains through pedestrian subways, underground parking and a 20-storey central plaza with bus bays.

Earlier this year, Southern Railway had denied permission for the beautification work in front of Central Railway Station and Moore Market Complex, indicating interference to passenger flow. It slowed down the project. But, the work planned in front of Ripon Buildings has been in full swing.

A Southern Railway official said they permitted CMRL to continue with Central Square developmental works on railway land near Chennai Central and MMC.

The official said that they communicated it to CMRL. The work will involve canopies, seating, landscaping and pergolas, pathways, etc.

Additionally, a CMRL official said that the work in front of the Ripon Buildings will be done by the end of this month.

The official said that Southern Railway gave CMRL the approval for beautifying their premises just two days back. The work planned in front of Central and MMC will need two months. They will eliminate the existing cement blocks on the surface and have new paving aside from other features.

While work for the pedestrian subways and the underground parking is underway, CMRL will shortly float a tender to look for an investor for the construction work of the multi-storied Central Plaza.

The plaza is likely to have a shopping area, hotel, office spaces, and a waiting lounge for passengers and bus crew.

The plaza will include bus bays on the front for outstation and local buses to pick up and drop off passengers.

The official said that they have planned three-level underground parking. Excavation is going on for the two levels at the bottom.

Image Source

Also read: Chennai Central, Egmore station redevelopment is yet to start

The Central Square project is now on track as the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has received Southern Railway’s nod to continue with the beautification work it had planned in front of the Moore Market Complex and Central Railway Station. The Rs 400 crore Central Square project has almost been completed in front of Ripon Buildings. The beautification work is a part of it. The project also includes additional passenger facilities for multi-modal integration to connect suburban trains, MRTS and metro rail with outstation buses and trains through pedestrian subways, underground parking and a 20-storey central plaza with bus bays. Earlier this year, Southern Railway had denied permission for the beautification work in front of Central Railway Station and Moore Market Complex, indicating interference to passenger flow. It slowed down the project. But, the work planned in front of Ripon Buildings has been in full swing. A Southern Railway official said they permitted CMRL to continue with Central Square developmental works on railway land near Chennai Central and MMC. The official said that they communicated it to CMRL. The work will involve canopies, seating, landscaping and pergolas, pathways, etc. Additionally, a CMRL official said that the work in front of the Ripon Buildings will be done by the end of this month. The official said that Southern Railway gave CMRL the approval for beautifying their premises just two days back. The work planned in front of Central and MMC will need two months. They will eliminate the existing cement blocks on the surface and have new paving aside from other features. While work for the pedestrian subways and the underground parking is underway, CMRL will shortly float a tender to look for an investor for the construction work of the multi-storied Central Plaza. The plaza is likely to have a shopping area, hotel, office spaces, and a waiting lounge for passengers and bus crew. The plaza will include bus bays on the front for outstation and local buses to pick up and drop off passengers. The official said that they have planned three-level underground parking. Excavation is going on for the two levels at the bottom. Image Source Also read: Chennai Central, Egmore station redevelopment is yet to start

Infrastructure Energy

23 Oct 2025

GAIL to Set Up Bengaluru CBG Plant Under New Concession Pact

GAIL (India) Limited has signed a 20-year concession agreement with the Bengaluru City Municipal Corporation (BBMP) to set up a compressed biogas (CBG) plant in the city. The project, expected to produce around 10 tonnes of CBG daily, will utilise municipal solid waste as feedstock, contributing to clean energy generation and efficient waste management. The CBG produced will be used in GAIL’s City Gas Distribution network to promote cleaner fuel usage. The initiative aligns with the government’s Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme and GAIL’s broader ..

Infrastructure Energy

23 Oct 2025

Uttarakhand HC Lifts 31-Year Ban on ONGC’s Contractual Hiring

The Uttarakhand High Court has lifted a 31-year-old ban on the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) from hiring contractual workers, a restriction imposed in 1993. The decision enables ONGC’s Dehradun establishment to employ personnel on a contractual basis to meet operational requirements. The long-standing prohibition had limited ONGC’s ability to fill vacancies in its technical and administrative departments, often leading to project delays and higher dependence on outsourcing. With the court’s directive, the public sector enterprise can now proceed with temporary recruitments whil..

Infrastructure Energy

23 Oct 2025

JSW Energy’s Utkal Unit Bags 400 MW, 25-Year Power Supply Deal

JSW Energy Limited announced that its subsidiary, JSW Energy (Utkal) Limited, has secured a Letter of Award (LoA) from Karnataka’s Power Company of Karnataka Limited (PCKL) for the supply of 400 MW of electricity for 25 years. The agreement is part of a competitive bidding process for long-term procurement of power to meet the state’s growing energy demand. The 400 MW capacity will be supplied from JSW Energy’s upcoming thermal power project in Odisha. This development strengthens JSW Energy’s presence in the southern market and aligns with its strategy to enhance long-term contracte..