Chennai Division Southern Railway

Railways network which was established in India in the year 1853 was extended to Madras in 1856. Royapuram was the first Railway Terminal when the Railway line connecting the city was constructed in 1856 between Royapuram and Arcot (now called Walajah). Chennai Division was formed on 31.8.1956 and at present serves the Northern parts of Tamilnadu and a small portion of Southern Andhra Pradesh. This division has a route kilometer of 697.930 and track kilometer of 1934.68 all BG. All the sections except a small portion of BG line between Arakkonam and Kanchipuram are electrified.

The work for suburban train services started in the year 1928 and became operational in the year 1931 between Chennai Beach and Tambaram with 1500 volts DC electric supply which was subsequently converted to 25 kV AC during 1967. BG suburban services on 25 kV Electric traction from Chennai Central/Chennai Beach towards Gummidipundi and Tiruvallur sides were commissioned on 18.4.1979 and 27.11.1979 respectively.

The entire division falls in the “Plain terrain”, except part of Arakkonam – Renigunta and Arakkonam – Jolarpettai sections which have an undulating terrain, with Deccan plateau at its North-West and Coromandel Coast on East and within a maximum altitude of 300m from MSL. The entire division comes under Tropical Wet and Dry (Savannah) and the average temperature of this division is around 30o C.

The unique elevated track structure under MRTS also comes under the jurisdiction of Chennai Division. The route length of 14.68 kms. of MRTS section from Chennai Beach to Tiruvanmiyur was opened to traffic on 26.01.2004. The double line between Thirumailai-Velachery section of length 10.68 Kms. was opened on 20.11.07.

Chennai Port Trust, an IRCA member, has its own Railway viz., Port Trust Railway which plays a key role in the day to day operations of Chennai Division. This port handles mainly coal, ores, fertilizer and container traffic.

Postal Address of Chennai Division:

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