North Line, Chennai Suburban

Summary

The North Line of the Chennai Suburban Railway is the third-longest suburban rail line in the system, running north from Chennai Central MMC to Bitragunta in Andhra Pradesh. Suburban services terminate at Sullurpeta and MEMU services operate to Bitragunta. As of 2013, more than 100,000 people use trains on the 46-km line between Chennai Central and Gummidipoondi every day, up from less than 80,000 in 2010.[1] By 2017, this has increased to 120,000 people per day.[2]

North Line
Overview
StatusOperational
LocaleChennai (Madras), India
Termini
Stations30
Service
TypeSuburban railway
SystemChennai Suburban Railway
Operator(s)Southern Railway (India)
Daily ridership120,000
Technical
Line length210 kilometres (130 mi)
(82 km Suburban and 128 km MEMU)
Track gaugeBroad Gauge
Operating speed90 km/h (maximum service speed)
Route map

Legend
Chennai Central MMC
— Bitragunta
210
Bitragunta
176
Nellore
137
Gudur
Odur
Pedapariya
110
Nayudupeta
Doravarichatram
Polireddipalem
82
Sullurpeta Bus interchange
Akkampet
70
Tada Bus interchange
63
Arambakkam
Elavur
47
Gummidipundi Bus interchange
Kavaraipettai
35
Ponneri
Anuppampattu
26
Minjur Bus interchange
23
Nandiambakkam
22
Athipattu
Athipattu Pudunagar
16
Ennore Bus interchange
15
Kattivakkam
Wimco Nagar
9
Tiruvottiyur Bus interchange
V.O.C Nagar
5
Tondiarpet
Korrukupet
2
Basin Bridge
0
Chennai Central MMC Mainline rail interchangeMetro interchangeBus interchange
Washermanpet
Royapuram
Chennai Beach Bus interchange
South West Line
South Line

Sections edit

 
The North line near Washermanpet, Chennai

Chennai Central MMC - Gummidipoondi edit

  • Suburban trains; runs on two dedicated 3rd and 4th lines between Chennai Central - Athipattu (0 - 22 km) .
  • Suburban trains; runs on two main lines from Athipattu to Gummidipoondi (22 km - 46 km).

Problems in the north line edit

Commuters on the Chennai Central-Gummidipoondi suburban line are concerned about irregular train services, poor maintenance and lack of amenities such as drinking water, public convenience and security in the stations.[citation needed] They feel that the services and amenities provided on the Chennai Central-Thiruvallur-Arakkonam and the Chennai Beach-Tambaram-Chengalpattu sections are much better.

Trains are scheduled to transit between Gummidipoondi and Chennai Central in 80 minutes, but trains they usually take 120 minutes to cover the 46 kilometres (29 mi). It is common for trains to wait for clearance at signals between Ennore-Chennai Central.[3] All the trains are always late by 20 to 30 minutes.

Gummidipoondi - Sulurpeta (AP) edit

  • Suburban trains; runs on two main lines.

Sulurpeta(AP) - Bitragunta (AP) edit

  • MEMU trains run between Chennai Central MMC and Nellore to be extended to Bitragunta.
  • Passenger trains run between Chennai Central MMC and Bitragunta via Nellore.

Expansion edit

The third and fourth lines in the route is being laid at a cost of 2,750 million. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) for exchange of land between the Southern Railways and Chennai Port Trust was signed in 2015 to commission the third and fourth lines. The fourth line between Chennai Beach and Athipattu costs 1200 million running to a length of 22.1 km. The third line between Athipattu and Korukkupet was commissioned at a cost of 1,550 million, running for a length of 18 km and the fourth line in the section between Tiruvottiyur and Ennore for a length of 7 km was commissioned on 24 June 2017. The third line between Chennai Beach and Korukkupet will run for a length of 4.1 km at a cost of 1,420 million and is expected to be completed by March 2018.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Ayyappan, V. (7 May 2013). "Trains late, people backtrack". The Times of India. Chennai. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  2. ^ a b Srikanth, R. (27 June 2017). "Poor public transport leaves them on slow lane". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Suburban railway stations need more facilities". The Hindu. 7 March 2011. Archived from the original on 10 March 2011.