Redevelopment Works Begin at Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station

The Varkala Sivagiri railway station's redevelopment, part of the Amrit Bharat Station scheme, has officially commenced. The project is being executed by various agencies contracted by the joint venture of Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd. (KRDCL) and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), which secured the redevelopment contract.

The Varkala station will undergo a transformation at an estimated cost of Rs. 123.36 crore, with a construction timeline of 30 months. The redevelopment follows an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model. These same agencies also won the contract for redeveloping Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, with a projected cost of Rs. 439 crore and a completion period of 42 months.

The redevelopment work at Varkala is advancing rapidly, with plans to begin demolition of the existing station building next month. During a recent review meeting at the Southern Railway headquarters, officials evaluated the progress and decided to add two entrances to the new station building. "The preliminary work is progressing quickly, and the demolition is likely to start soon," said a KRDCL official.

Once completed, the redeveloped station will offer enhanced passenger amenities, an improved ambiance, and visually appealing interiors. The exterior will feature attractive landscaping, while the interior design will have an airport-like illumination. Additional upgrades include expanded parking facilities and better intermodal transport options, providing passengers with seamless connectivity.

The redevelopment project aims to modernize the railway station and establish a new, iconic identity for Varkala, a renowned tourist destination. The redevelopment plan prioritizes accessibility, with features such as access ramps, elevators, tactile flooring, accessible restrooms, supportive handrails, braille signage, audio announcements, and designated parking.

The new station building, which will span 9,944 square meters, will incorporate a departure air-concourse, an arrival foot overbridge (FOB), an extension of the existing FOB, a substation, internal roads, pathways, and stormwater drains. The design includes ample space for various passenger needs, including ticketing counters, boarding and deboarding areas, waiting rooms, information desks, water facilities, toilets, and retail spaces for food and other essentials.

ET