Project to Ease Chennai Suburban Congestion and Boost Passenger & Freight Movement: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Indian Railways has approved the ₹993 crore Arakkonam–Chengalpattu railway doubling project under Southern Railway. The 68-kilometre project is aimed at strengthening safe, fast and efficient rail transport in the Chennai suburban network. The route is a key part of the Chennai suburban circular railway system connecting Chennai Beach, Tambaram, Chengalpattu and Arakkonam.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini vaishnaw said the project will help reduce congestion on the busy Chennai suburban rail network and improve punctuality and operational efficiency. He added that both passenger and freight movement will benefit from the project, especially the transportation of cement, automobiles, food grains, iron and steel.
Currently, the existing double rail line is operating at full capacity, while traffic demand is expected to rise further in the coming years. The doubling project will reduce train delays, improve on-time performance and increase the frequency of suburban train services.
The railway corridor connects several important industrial and economic hubs including mahindra world city Sriperumbudur oragadam and Irungattukottai. It also supports major automobile, cement and manufacturing industries in the region. The proposed parandur airport near Kanchipuram is located close to this railway route, increasing the strategic importance of the corridor. Indian Railways said the project is part of its continued efforts to modernise railway infrastructure, increase network capacity and improve operational efficiency on key routes. The project is expected to strengthen suburban and freight connectivity, support regional industrial growth and provide faster, safer and more reliable transportation services.
