The new structures, built at five British‑era stations in Tamil Nadu, feature lifts that can accommodate about ten passengers each and are slated to become operational in the coming weeks, railway officials said.
Each bridge includes shelters, LED lighting, CCTV cameras, rain‑water harvesting systems, ramps for persons with disabilities and fencing on both sides to prevent accidental falls; the average cost per facility is roughly ₹1.5 crore.
Railway officials highlighted that the lifts will provide senior citizens and women with safer, hassle‑free access between platforms, especially during peak‑hour traffic.
Located between major junctions such as Arakkonam and Jolarpet on the Chennai‑Bengaluru‑Coimbatore corridor, the upgraded stations handle more than 150 trains and over 3,000 commuters daily, and will also gain separate arrival and departure corridors.
Commuter B. Sugan urged that adequate safety measures, including reliable power backup, be ensured for lift operation, while the design incorporates at least 20 staircases on each side of the service lane.
The project builds on earlier lift‑equipped bridges already in service at Katpadi and Ambur, further modernising passenger amenities across the network.