Rs 1,538 Cr Chengalpattu–Arakkonam Rail Corridor Doubling to Ease Congestion and Boost Freight Movement

The long-awaited expansion of the Chengalpattu–Arakkonam railway corridor has taken a major step forward, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for its doubling now prepared and under review. Estimated at ₹1,538 crore, this project addresses one of the most congested stretches in Tamil Nadu’s railway network, currently operating at more than 104% of its designed capacity.

Spanning 73.5 km, the Chengalpattu–Arakkonam section plays a crucial role in suburban and freight movement, and its enhancement is part of a broader 192 km circular suburban loop planned around Chennai. The doubling project aims to expand capacity from 13 daily trains on a single line to nearly 40, thereby reducing delays, easing passenger movement, and improving long-distance connectivity.

Beyond passenger benefits, freight infrastructure is at the heart of this project. Kancheepuram will see dual paving facilities developed to handle bulk commodities such as cement, steel, and fertilizers—sectors that are critical to Tamil Nadu’s industrial and construction ecosystem. Walajabad, already India’s largest automotive loading hub, is set for further upgrades with an 800-metre-long goods yard designed for automotive rakes. These improvements are expected to significantly boost freight efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and strengthen logistics support for industries.

The project also seeks to integrate seamlessly with 23 planned multimodal transport hubs, including St Thomas Mount, Guindy, and Chennai Central. This alignment is expected to provide smoother transfers between rail, metro, and bus services, further strengthening Chennai’s growing transportation network.

According to officials, Indian Railways and the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) are coordinating closely on the project. A stakeholder meeting has been planned to finalize alignments, technical inputs, and integration strategies.

With freight volumes already witnessing steady growth—1.56 million tonnes handled in 2024–25 across 803 trains—the doubling project comes at a critical time. By expanding capacity for both passengers and freight, particularly cement, steel, fertilizers, and automobiles, the Chengalpattu–Arakkonam corridor is set to transform into a backbone of Chennai’s suburban and industrial connectivity.