Tumkur railway station design feather in KIIFCONs cap

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Tumkur railway station in Karnataka will soon be sporting a new look and its elegant design has turned many heads. Not many know that it was developed by a Kerala-based company KIIFCON, consultancy arm of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). KIIFCON has been entrusted with the design of the new station building, parking facility - both four storey structures - and Type -II quarters for officers. After various phases of clearance, the design of the station building is awaiting final approval from the railways. We are in the process of developing designs for other buildings, said Jithin Jose, deputy general manager of KIIFCON. The Tumkur railway station development project is worth Rs 89 crore. Along with this, the station will be renamed as Dr Shri Shri Shivakumara Swamiji railway station. Dr Shri Shri Sivakumara Swamigalu is a revered seer heading the Sri Siddaganga Mutt. The design contract was awarded to KIIFCON after a rigorous selection process by the RITES-Aryan Joint Venture which was assigned with the stations upgrade. The railways had given a broad outline of requirements, including standard elements to be followed. With three red domes atop, the station buildings new design is themed around the Mutt. A canopy-covered drop-off zone, spacious concourse area and landscaped surroundings are other highlights. Aesthetics and accessibility have been ensured, Jithin said. The area of the new station building is approximately 4,764 sq m, measuring 68 metres in length and 14 metres in width. The building will include booking counters, a passenger lobby, general and upper-class waiting halls, a ladies waiting room, and a VIP lounge. Equipped with lifts and EV charging stations, the parking building will be connected to the main station via an external passage on the first floor. KIIFCON was established in 2022 and this is the companys first project outside Kerala.