Arakkonam-Chengalpet to get extra suburban railway line

Chennai: City's suburban network between Arakkonam and Chengalpet will soon get an additional line as Indian Railways has approved a 993 crore doubling project. The 68km project under Southern Railway forms part of the Chennai suburban circular rail network connecting Chennai Beach, Tambaram, Chengalpet and Arakkonam.Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project would ease congestion on the busy railway network, while improving punctuality and operational efficiency. He added that it would also strengthen freight movement across the corridor, transporting key commodities including cement, automobiles, foodgrains, iron and steel.Railways said the existing single-line section is operating at high capacity utilisation and traffic is expected to rise in the coming years. A release said the route passes through major industrial and economic hubs including Mahindra World City, Sriperumbudur, Oragadam and Irungattukottai, apart from serving automobile, cement and manufacturing industries. Railways added that the proposed Parandur Airport project near Kancheepuram is located close to the alignment, adding to the strategic importance of the corridor. Residents in the western suburbs welcomed the move but urged railways to complete the project on time. They also said train services on the Chennai-Tiruvallur section should be increased and wait time at crossings reduced. "Western suburbs are seeing a real estate boom. Railways must match the growth by increasing services," said T Sadagopan, consumer activist.