Indian Railways has approved the 68 Km Arakkonam-Chengalpattu Doubling Project of Southern Railway at a cost of ₹993 crore, in a move aimed at easing congestion and improving rail operations on a key part of the Chennai suburban circular rail network.
In a statement on Tuesday, 19 May, the Ministry of Railways said that the section forms part of the important Chennai suburban circular rail network connecting Chennai Beach, Tambaram, Chengalpattu and Arakkonam.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project would play a significant role in easing congestion on the busy Chennai suburban rail network while improving punctuality and operational efficiency.
He said the doubling project would strengthen both passenger and freight movement across the corridor and support the transportation of key commodities including cement, automobiles, food grains, iron and steel.
According to the ministry, the existing single-line section is currently operating at a high level of capacity utilisation.
Traffic is expected to rise further in the coming years, making additional infrastructure augmentation necessary.
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The doubling work is expected to reduce detention time of trains, improve punctuality and increase the frequency of suburban services.
The route serves several major economic and industrial hubs, including Mahindra World City, Sriperumbudur, Oragadam and Irungattukottai.
It also supports important automobile, cement and manufacturing industries in the region.
The ministry said the proposed Parandur Airport project near Kancheepuram is located close to the alignment, further increasing the strategic importance of the route.
The approval marks another step in Indian Railways’ efforts to modernise rail infrastructure, enhance network capacity and improve operational efficiency across key corridors.
The project is expected to strengthen suburban and freight connectivity, support regional industrial growth and provide faster, safer and more reliable transportation services.
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