Construction of the 275-metre skywalk connecting the upcoming Kilambakkam suburban railway station with the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) has entered its final phase, with authorities targeting inauguration in March. The project is expected to play a crucial role in improving pedestrian access and multimodal connectivity in Chennai’s southern transport corridor.
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has accelerated works on the elevated structure, particularly the section crossing the busy GST Road. Officials said corrective measures addressing load deflection detected on one of the erected arms are almost complete, leaving only minor work pending. Installation of the second arm is scheduled for early March and will likely be carried out overnight, as the girder has already been assembled at ground level. Traffic diversions via Athanur will be implemented during the erection.
Work on the railway station end of the skywalk is progressing simultaneously and will be ready for integration once the road-crossing span is installed. Finishing activities, including roofing and tile laying, remain the final steps before commissioning.
The need for the skywalk gained urgency after KCBT began operations in December 2023, shifting mofussil bus services from Koyambedu but lacking seamless rail connectivity. The new pedestrian link aims to bridge that gap by enabling direct movement between rail and long-distance bus services.
Earlier, structural assessments by the CUBE team from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras led to design corrections to ensure safety and stability.
Additionally, the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) is coordinating with the railways to extend the skywalk to the island platform, a process that will require partial closure of three tracks during execution.
