Tambaram to Chengalpattu: Railways approves 4th line project in Tamil Nadu – Here’s how it will improve regional connectivity

Tambaram to Chengalpattu rail section

The Tambaram to Chengalpattu section is presently a three-line stretch on the Chennai Beach-Villupuram– Tiruchchirappalli-Kanyakumari mainline. It serves both suburban and long-distance mail/express trains. Thus, due to its heavy utilization carrying suburban, Mail/Express, and freight traffic, the section experiences frequent
congestion, impacting punctuality and capacity expansion.

Tambaram to Chengalpattu section in Tamil Nadu

In a statement, Southern Railway said the line capacity utilization between Tambaram and Chengalpattu currently stands at around 87%, and is expected to rise to 136% if the project is not undertaken. The proposed fourth line, it added, will help ease congestion, extend the dedicated suburban network up to Chengalpattu and encourage a shift from road to rail – benefiting both passenger and freight movement.

Tambaram to Chengalpattu 4th line project: Here’s how it is crucial for enhancing regional connectivity

The Tambaram–Chengalpattu fourth rail line project is set to play a key role in enhancing regional connectivity and improving the local economy. Here’s a look at why this project is crucial:

• With growing suburban traffic and large-scale residential and industrial development in and around Tambaram, Guduvancheri, Chengalpattu, and Sriperumbudur, Tambaram– Chengalpattu fourth line will be a boon for daily commuters, School & College students, Office goers, IT Professionals and Govt. employees.
• The project will greatly benefit commuters bound for Southern districts of Tamil Nadu, easing congestion and enabling smoother suburban train operations to the upcoming Kilambakkam railway station and thereby to the new Kilambakkam bus terminal, improving connectivity for daily commuters.
• The upcoming airport near Kanchipuram will further intensify travel demand in the corridor.
• Upon development of Tambaram as a major coaching terminal, the new line will meet the future traffic requirements, segregating suburban and Express services, improving operational efficiency and reduction of travel time for passengers.
• The project is also expected to generate additional freight traffic of 1.344 million tonnes per annum, resulting in additional earnings of Rs 157 crore after commissioning as the section covers many industrial units and SIPCOTs between Oragadam, Padappai and Kanchipuram.