Title - Central, Egmore stations get fresh coat

Two of the most popular landmarks in the city — the Central and Egmore stations —  will sport a fresh look very soon.

Refurbishment work is underway at both railway stations as the outer walls of the heritage buildings are being painted afresh.

According to Railway officials, the work is being done at both stations at a cost of about Rs 40 lakh.

Authorities at the Central Railway station say that the building is getting a bright coat of its trademark ‘terracotta’ colour after a gap of five years. The long process of cleaning the walls and applying layers of paint to withstand the changing weather was started in December 2012 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-February.

“The walls are bio-washed. Everything is done with the help of machines. The terracotta colour is applied on the layer of white paint so that it stands out,” a Railway official explains. The clock tower will also be getting a fresh coat of bright white paint.

According to officials, the heritage building was last repainted in 2008. The overall painting work is part of the maintenance work undertaken periodically.

Similarly, the Egmore Railway Station, built in 1908, will also be painted afresh.