Chennai Suburban Railway

Chennai Suburban Railway சென்னை புறநகர் இருப்புவழி
Background
Owner	Southern Railways
Locale	Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Transit type	Suburban Rail
Number of lines	6
Number of stations	73
Daily ridership	960,000/day
Website	http://erail.in/ChennaiSubUrbanTrains.htm
Operation
Began operation	1931
Operator(s)	Southern Railway
Train length	9/12 coaches
Technical
System length	896.57 km (non-redundant) (286 km true suburban and 610.5 km MEMU service)
Track gauge	Broad gauge
Electrification	25,000V AC Overhead catenary
Average speed	50 km/h (31 mph)
Top speed	100 km/h (62 mph)

Chennai Suburban Railway is a commuter rail system in the city of Chennai (Madras), Tamil Nadu, India operated by the Southern Railway, one of the operating railway zones of Indian Railways.

Chennai has a complex railway network. The system uses electrical multiple units (EMUs) operating on alternating current (AC) drawn from over-head cables through the catenary system. The total system spans around 900 km of which only 286 km have dedicated dual tracks for suburban EMUs, the rest share tracks with other trains and are called mainline EMUs (MEMUs). Since March 2012, the suburban sector has 450 services. As of 2011-2012, 1.46 million people use the suburban train services daily. This is a 13.2 percent increase over the previous year. A total of 65 stations in the suburban section have cycle stands.

History

Chennai has a fairly extensive suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) service. It was in the 1920s that the then British government felt the necessity of connecting the northern part of the city, which was mainly commercial, with the chiefly residential southwestern parts. In 1928, work began on constructing two meter gauge (MG) lines connecting the harbour with the southern suburb of Tambaram to run services using steam locomotives. In early 1930, however, the government decided to electrify the lines, including the mainline starting from Egmore. The work was completed in March 1931, and the suburban services were started on 11 May 1931 between Beach and Tambaram. The section was electrified on 15 November 1931, with the first MG EMU services running on 1.5 kV DC. The rolling stock, consisting of rigid wooden-bodied coaches, were built by Metro Camell. In the same year, mainline DC locomotives (YCG) were introduced in order to haul freight from the port. The system had the meter-gauge (MG) EMUs (YAU series) until the gauge conversion. Since then, the system has only the broad-gauge (BG) EMUs running.

In the 1960s, the line from Madras Beach to Villupuram was converted to 25 kV AC traction. This began with the conversion of the Madras Beach—Tambaram section on 15 January 1967. The rolling stock was changed to EMUs with motors and electricals from Toshiba or Hitachi. These were built by the Integral Coach Factory based in the city. Services too were extended to Chengleput with two daily services. In the late 1967, a Toshiba/Hitachi/Mitsubishi combine model YAM-1 21904 locomotive was introduced, which became the first MG 25 kV AC locomotive. Work on additional MG track between Tambaram and Chengleput began in 1969 and was completed in January 1971.

In 1985, suburban services to northern and western parts of the city began, with services running from the newly built suburban terminal of the Madras Central. With the growth in suburban traffic and the existing gauge lacking sufficient carrying capacity, the Indian Railway decided to convert the entire section between Beach and Tambaram, which by then had three MG lines, to BG in early 1991, with a 50:50 joint venture with the state government. The first BG line was laid in the section in 1992 parallel to the existing MG lines. The work was completed in February 1993. Of the three existing MG lines, two were exclusively used for suburban service and the third one was used for mainline express and passenger trains. The newly laid BG line started handling suburban trains supplementing the MG suburban lines.

In 1998, further to the Chengleput–Villupuram–Tiruchirapalli gauge conversion project, the railway decided to convert one of the MG lines in the section between Tambaram and Chengleput. However, the decision was soon changed due to large-scale protests by suburban commuters. This resulted in the conversion of the 'down' MG line (the easternmost line out of Tambaram) to BG, in addition to laying of a new parallel MG line. Within a year, work on the new BG was completed. By late 1999, there were two MG lines and one BG line between Tambaram and Chengleput, and the new BG line was electrified by late 2000. The conversion of the mainline MG line between Egmore and Tambaram began in 2000, resulting in Tambaram station temporarily acting as terminal point for mainline express and passenger trains originally originating from and terminating at Egmore. This resulted in increase in traffic at Tambaram station, where two additional MG lines were built. In March 2001, the gauge conversion project in the Madras—Madurai section was completed and BG passenger services began, and the Beach—Tambaram section featured two MG and two BG lines. In December 2001, electrification work of the Chengleput–Villupuram BG line commenced. Gauge conversion work of two MG lines between Beach and Egmore began in December 2002 and was completed by February 2003. This resulted in increased BG EMU services between Beach and Tambaram and the MG services from Tambaram terminating at Egmore. The spur MG lines in the Beach—Washermanpet section were dismantled.

In February 2003, one of the MG lines between Tambaram and Chengalpet was taken up for conversion and was completed in December 2003, which was used for BG EMU services and by mainline express trains. This resulted in 2 BG lines and 1 MG line in the Tambaram–Chengleput section by the end of 2003. The last MG EMU services between the 30 km Egmore—Tambaram section were run on 1 July 2004, marking the end of the regular service of the YAM-1 locomotives, and the gauge conversion work in this section began. All MG mainline trains were switched over to diesel traction.

On 1 November 2004, with the completion of the gauge-conversion work in this section, BG EMU services were inaugurated with the addition of 15 new rakes from ICF.

Lines

Fundamentally Chennai has 4 suburban railway lines, namely North line, West line, South line and MRTS line. The South West line, West North line and West South line are merely minor extensions or modifications of the aforementioned suburban lines. The MRTS is a suburban railway line that chiefly runs on a elevated track exclusively used for running local EMUs or suburban local trains. No express trains or passenger trains run on MRTS line.

The inside of a Chennai Suburban Train.

A railway map of the Chennai suburban train system including proposed new lines

Heatmap of the coverage of public transportation in Chennai City

North Line [174 km]

Main article: North Line, Chennai Suburban

Stations: Chennai Central MMC - Basin Bridge - Korukkupet - Tondiarpet - Tondiarpet Yard - Tiruvottiyur - Wimco Nagar - Kathivakkam - Ennore - Athipattu Pudhunagar - Athipattu - Nandiambakkam - Minjur - Anupambattu - Ponneri - Kavaraipettai - Gummidipoondi - Elavur - Arambakkam - Tada (Andhra Pradesh [AP]) - Sullurpeta (AP) - Gudur(AP) - Nellore (AP)

• Suburban service terminates at Sullurpeta (AP).
• Few trains operate between Chennai Beach and Sullurpeta via Royapuram and Washermanpet.
• This is the only route in India where a suburban train is operated outside the state.

South Line [163 km]

Main article: South Line, Chennai Suburban

(Along the GST Road from St. Thomas Mount to Villupuram)

Stations: Chennai Beach - Chennai Fort - Chennai Park - Chennai Egmore - Chetpet - Nungambakkam - Kodambakkam - Mambalam - Saidapet - Guindy - St. Thomas Mount - Pazhavanthangal - Meenambakkam - Trisulam - Pallavaram - Chromepet - Tambaram Sanatorium - Tambaram - Perungalathur - Vandalur - Urapakkam - Guduvancheri - Potheri - Kattangulathur - Maraimalai Nagar Kamarajar - Singaperumal Koil - Paranur - Chengalpattu - Tirumani - Ottivakkam - Padalam - Karunguzhi - Madurantakam - Pakkam - Melmaruvathur - Acharapakkam - Tozhuppedu - Karasangal - Olakur - Panchalam - Tindivanam - Mailam - Perani - Vikravandi - Mundiyampakkam - Villupuram

• Suburban service terminates at Chengalpattu.
• The service between Beach and Tambaram was started in the year 1931
• A EMU service operates between Beach - Villupuram which goes along the suburban tracks till Chengalpattu and on the main line after that till Villupuram.

South West Line [122.71 km]

Main article: South West Line, Chennai Suburban

(Along GST Road from St. Thomas Mount to Chengalpattu)

The Beach Chengalpattu section is parallel to but completely separate from the long-distance tracks of Indian Railways. The Trisulam station on this line is 100m from the Chennai International Airport terminal. This line first opened as an electrified suburban rail line in 1930.

Stations: Chennai Beach - Chennai Fort - Chennai Park - Chennai Egmore - Chetpet - Nungambakkam - Kodambakkam - Mambalam - Saidapet - Guindy - St. Thomas Mount - Pazhavanthangal - Meenambakkam - Trisulam - Pallavaram - Chromepet - Tambaram Sanatorium - Tambaram - Perungalathur - Vandalur - Urapakkam - Guduvancheri - Potheri - Kattangulathur - Maraimalai Nagar Kamarajar - Singaperumal Koil - Paranur - Chengalpattu - Villiambakkam - Palur - Palayasivaram - Walajabad - Nathapettai - Kanchipuram - Tirumalpur - Thakolam - Arakkonam

• Suburban electric trains on this route, terminate at Tirumalpur station.
• Tirumalpur - Arakkonam section being electrified.

West Line [213 km]

Main article: West Line, Chennai Suburban

Chennai Central MMC - Basin Bridge - Vyasarpadi Jeeva - Perambur - Perambur Carriage Works - Perambur Loco Works - Villivakkam - Korattur - Pattaravakkam - Ambattur - Thirumullaivoyal - Annanur - Avadi - Hindu College - Pattabiram - Nemilichery - Thirunindravur - Veppampattu - Sevvapet Road - Putlur - Tiruvallur - Egattur - Kadambattur - Manavur - Mosur - Puliyamangalam - Arakkonam - Sholinghur - Walajah Road - Tiruvalam - Sevur - Katpadi - Gudiyattam - Ambur - Vinnamangalam - Vaniyambadi - Kettandapatti - Jolarpet

• Suburban service terminates at Arakkonam.
• MEMU service operates between Arakkonam and Jolarpet.

West North Line [151 km]

Main article: West North Line, Chennai Suburban

Services first began on this line in 1985.

Stations: Chennai Central MMC - Basin Bridge - Vyasarpadi Jeeva - Perambur - Perambur Carriage Works - Perambur Loco Works - Villivakkam - Korattur - Pattaravakkam - Ambattur - Thirumullaivoyal - Annanur - Avadi - Hindu College - Pattabiram - Nemilichery - Thirunindravur - Veppampattu - Sevvapet Road - Putlur - Tiruvallur - Egattur - Kadambattur - Senjipanambakkam - Manavur - Thiruvalangadu - Mosur - Puliyamangalam - Arakkonam - Tiruttani - Nagari - Puttur - Renigunta - Tirupati

• Suburban service terminate at Tiruttani.
• MEMU service terminate at Tirupati (AP).
• Few trains operate between Chennai Beach and Tiruttani. The section from Chennai Beach till Vyasarpadi covers a distance of 5.64 km via Royapuram and Washermanpet stations.

West South Line [290 km]

Main article: West South Line, Chennai Suburban

Chennai Beach - Royapuram - Washermanpet - Vyasarpadi Jeeva - Perambur - Perambur Carriage Works - Perambur Loco Works - Villivakkam - Korattur - Pattaravakkam - Ambattur - Thirumullaivoyal - Annanur - Avadi - Hindu College - Pattabiram - Nemilichery - Thirunindravur - Veppampattu - Sevvapet Road - Putlur - Tiruvallur - Egattur - Kadambattur - Senjipanambakkam - Manavur - Thiruvalangadu - Mosur - Puliyamangalam - Arakkonam - Katpadi - Vellore Cantt.

• Suburban service terminates at Arakkonam.
• MEMU service terminates at Vellore Cantonment station.
• The section from Vellore Cantonment till Villupuram is under gauge conversion and being electrified.

Interchange stations

S.No.	Station	Status	Connections	Details
1	Chennai Beach	Existing Interchange station	North line, West line, South line and MRTS line	A terminal station for some of the North and West bound suburban trains and a terminal station for all south line and MRTS line suburban trains.
2	Chennai Fort	Existing Interchange station	MRTS line, South line, upcoming Metro line 1	Is a common station for MRTS line and South suburban line. A station on Line 1 of upcoming Metro rail is near Fort suburban railway station
3	Chennai Central	Existing Interchange station	North line, West line, MRTS line, South line	Chennai Central is a terminal station's Moore Market Complex building for suburban trains on North and West lines. Park station of South line and Park Town station of MRTS line lie opposite to Chennai Central on the Poonamalle High Road. Both the lines of the upcoming metro rail will pass through Chennai Central Metro station which is being constructed underneath the Poonamalle High Road.
4	Park	Existing Interchange station	MRTS, South line, North Line, West line, [Metro lines 1 and 2]	Park is a suburban station on the south line while Park Town is a station on the MRTS line. Both the stations are nearby and are also opposite to Chennai Central.
5	Guindy	Upcoming Interchange station	[line 1], South suburban line	The Guindy metro station under construction lies abutting the Guindy suburban railway station
6	St. Thomas Mount	Upcoming Interchange station	South Suburban line, MRTS line, [line 2]	The MRTS line and Metro line 2 will be housed in different floors of a common station complex, which lies abutting the existing south line suburban railway station
6	Chengalpet Junction	Existing Interchange station	3 Lines from Melmaruvathur, Tambaram and Thirmalpur converge at Chengalpet Junction

New Lines

The following new lines have been proposed in the Second Master Plan by CMDA as a long-term Urban transportation Scheme

• Avadi — Sriperumbudur — Kanchipuram
• Saidapet — Sriperumbudur — Kanchipuram (Partly Elevated)
• Sriperumbudur — Oragadam — Chengalpattu
• Kelambakkam — Vandalur
• St.Thomas Mount — Porur

New Lines proposed in CTS

The following new lines have been proposed in the Comprehensive Transportation Study of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. These lines will provide a circumferential travel network for the city.

• Perungudi — Mamallapuram
• Mamallapuram — Chengalpattu
• Chengalpattu — Tiruvallur
• Tiruvallur — Gummidipundi

Circular Rail Line [191 km]

Stations: Chennai Beach — Egmore — Tambaram — Chengalpattu — Thirumalpur — Takkolam — Arakkonam — Vyasarpadi Jeeva — Washermanpet — Royapuram — Chennai Beach

• The circular rail line has been proposed in the CMDA SMP.

Services and traffic

As of 2006, 24 rakes, each with 9 cars, are operated every day between Tambaram and Chennai Beach, with a plan to increase the fleet to 30 rakes.

As of 2006, the suburban system carried about 500,000 commuters daily.

Fares and ticketing

Per the 2013 railway budget, the railway increased the Chennai suburban ticket fare by eight paise per kilometre, although the railway ministry has hiked it by two paise per kilometre. The number of slabs has also been reduced to four— 5, 10, 15 and 20—from the eight slabs earlier. Also ticket denominations have been rounded off to multiples of 5. As per the revised slab, a person traveling up to 20 km will have to pay 5, between 21 and 45 km 10, between 46 and 70 km 15 and between 71 and 100 km 20.

In 2012 (January–December), the Chennai division of Southern Railway zone generated 142.9 million through penalties imposed on ticketless and irregular travellers, which is marginally higher than 136 million generated during the previous fiscal (April 2011–March 2012).

Rolling stock

A typical EMU train

Maintenance

The suburban network has EMU car sheds at Avadi, Tambaram and Velachery where maintenance of EMUs is done. Electrical loco sheds of the Southern Railway are located at Royapuram and Arakkonam where maintenance of electrical locomotives is done. It also has workshops at Perambur Carriage Works and Perambur Loco Works from where periodical overhauling of coaching stock is done. Periodical overhauling of electrical rolling stock is done at Perambur Loco Works and the EMU car sheds at Avadi and Tambaram.

Accidents and incidents

On 29 April 2009, a suburban EMU train from Chennai Central suburban terminal was hijacked by an unidentified man, who rammed it with a stationary goods train at Vyasarpadi Jeeva railway station, killing four passengers and injuring 11 others. A major portion of the platform at the station, a footbridge and the railway track were damaged by the collision. The train was scheduled to start at 5:15 am but started at 4:50 am by the perpetrator. The speed of the EMU train at the time of the collision was estimated to be 92 kmph. There were about 35 passengers on board the train at the time of the accident.

Accident rates

Of the entire stretch of the South line, the Guindy–Chengalpet suburban section, comprising 17 stations, suffers from more fatal accidents with about 30 people a month, peaking at the Chromepet–Tambaram stretch with at least 15 accidents a month as of 2011. Of the 181 people killed on the tracks between Guindy and Chengalpet in 2011, one-fourth were killed on the tracks between Chromepet and Tambaram stations.

Gallery

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See also

• Transport in Chennai
• Mass Rapid Transit System (Chennai)

External links

• Suburban time table
• Suburban fare list
• Suburban train codes
• Suburban season ticket - fare list
• http://erail.in/ChennaiSubUrbanTrains.htm