MRTS services to temporarily run between Chintadripet and Velachery in Chennai: Southern Railway

“The 4th line between Chennai Beach- Chennai Egmore will improve the operational efficiency paving way for introduction of additional passenger services and freight trains,” a statement from the Southern Railway said.

According to B Vishwanath Eerya, Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai, the MRTS services between Chennai Beach and Chintadripet section will be temporarily suspended from Sunday (August 27). The services between Chennai Beach and Velachery include as many as 17 stations.

“The construction will be completed in a period of seven months and we will restore the suburban service also. This will help the public and railways decongest the existing line and punctuality will also be increased. There will be no change in the services between Beach and Tambaram. All cross-sectorial services of 59 trains will be terminated at Beach,” Eerya told the media on Thursday.

As per the data shared by the officials, currently there are about 122 EMU trains being operated between Chennai Beach and Velachery. Upon suspension of traffic between Chennai Beach and Chintadripet, a total of 80 MRTS EMU services (40 pairs) will be operated between Chintadripet and Velachery.

To ensure that the public are not affected due to the change of services, the railway authorities noted that they are holding talks with the state government to provide additional bus services connecting the Beach–Chintadripet section.

Additional railway police personnel are set to be deployed at stations like Chintadripet and Beach to assist the passengers with respect to the new implementation of services.