PPP Model-Based New outdoor sports facility inaugurated by Chennai Railway Division

The Indian Railways (IR) is arguably at the top when it comes to supporting sportsmen in the country. Indian Railways has supported a sizeable number of sportspersons by ensuring security through jobs. As of date, more than 9000 sportspersons are on roll of Indian Railways in 29 game disciplines, of whom about 3000 are active sportspersons. The modest beginning that started with promoting hockey and athletics has now evolved into a 29-game discipline - 18 individual games & 11 team games. And now, the Southern Railways has opened another facility to optimally utilise railway land and strengthen community infrastructure.

Southern Railway has inaugurated a new sports facility at the outer premises of Velachery Railway Station, under the Chennai Railway Division. The centre was inaugurated by the Additional Divisional Railway Manager of the Chennai Division, Mr. Tej Pratap Singh. The facility has been developed under a public-private partnership under a five-year licence agreement. Through this initiative, the Southern Railway is expected to earn an annual revenue of ₹12.07 lakh to ensure a steady and sustainable income stream from railway land assets. Officials have also highlighted IR’s broader strategy of non-fare revenue generation while delivering social and recreational benefits to the public.

The centre includes box cricket courts, pickleball courts, a skating rink, and a dedicated space for Silambam (traditional martial arts) training to better utilize underused railway assets while generating sustainable non-fare revenue. The Railways also reported that this is the first of its kind to be established within the Chennai Railway Division, marking a significant step towards community-oriented infrastructure development by Southern Railways. The Railways department is deeply rooted in investing in its sporting culture and its Sports Promotion board plays a major role in it.

The Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) (originally known as tdian Railways Athletic Association in 1928. It promotes 30 sporting disciplines and owns the Karnail Singh Stadium in New Delhi. The board is represented as the Railways in the National Games of India.