Chennai Suburban railway, Central, Egmore & Tambaram terminal updates.

[kannan infratech]

vicvin thambi,

Konjam onga regular velaya vum kavaningappu.

Ippadi camera / video camera vum kaiyuma alaiyareengale.

Vootla thitta mattangala ?

(unga photos naanga ellarum ensoy panrom than)

[Vicvin86]

Evalavuthan thituvanga! Ippo ellam thitrathukum satharanama pesurathukum vithyasame theriyala! .

Translation : How long will they keep on scolding! Now-a-days unable to distinguish scoldings from normal conversation! .

[ChennaiIndian]

In this trip, I didn't travel a lot on suburban trains but I can make the following observations,

1. Lots of ROBs constructed between Beach to Tambaram has definitely brought down the traveling time and has resulted in a smooth commute all along. Yet, there are some level crossings which are going to stay the same for a few more years - the ones near Meenambakkam and Chrompet Vaishnava college.
2. Unlike many years ago, now you can see frequent services to Chengelput. That's like every other service is to this place and not Tambaram.
3. The cleanliness of platforms have greatly improved but the pedestrian bridges to the platforms are dirty in many places and flooded with vendors as always.
4. There are nice display boards with scrolling info on the next train arrival.
5. Although the crowds on the trains are same, the waiting time to get a traveling ticket in the ticket counters makes it appear that the crowds have increased.
6. The automated ticket vending machines (the ugly blue-yellow Indian Railways s**t) have been broken (literally broken) and nobody uses them. They occupy unnecessary space.
7. 12 car EMUs are very common.

Overall it felt good to travel on one of India's oldest suburban routes which is going great even after 80 years now!!! These are the Metro trains of the bygone era.

[ChennaiIndian]

Tambaram terminal looks massive and is surely bigger than many of the major train terminals in India for operating out-station trains. It can be easily converted into a 3rd terminal in Chennai for operating out-station trains. However there are few limitations.

1. BG tracks haven't been laid on platform 3 after the old MG tracks were removed.
2. Many of the platforms are unused or underused.
3. There are some 9 platforms right now with 2 of them dedicated for suburban traffic. There is room for 1 or 2 more platforms to be built.
4. Platforms operating out-station trains have decent coach markers but they need to be electronic for easy use.
5. Buses traveling out of the city come up to the entrance of the station thereby providing an easy hop on/off facility. But for people wanting to catch buses going towards the city, it is a very big hardship - they have to cross two long roads through a subway and walk a very long distance to the bus terminal. I see this as the biggest problem on why Tambaram cannot be used as a 3rd terminal. In Egmore, the bus stops are relatively nearby.
6. Although its not a terminal station, almost all trains stop here making it a good transit station at the edge of the city.
7. Platforms are a lot cleaner than it used to be.

After all this is Indian Railways and lot needs to be done.

[sshivakumar]

CI, welcome back and thanks for sharing your experiences. Btw, when was the last time you were in Chennai before this trip?

[ChennaiIndian]

Many years

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by ChennaiIndian

5. Although the crowds on the trains are same, the waiting time to get a traveling ticket in the ticket counters makes it appear that the crowds have increased.

The lines at the ticket counters have increased after the recent bus fare hike.

[ranga]

Originally Posted by Gansan

The lines at the ticket counters have increased after the recent bus fare hike.

But just for few months as in the railway budget for 2012 passenger fares are going to be hiked including for the suburban commuters

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by ranga

But just for few months as in the railway budget for 2012 passenger fares are going to be hiked including for the suburban commuters

But not as steep as bus fares. I was told the fare from Chengelpet to Tambaram is Rs 28.00 by bus and Rs 10.00 by train. Even after revision, train fare may go up by Rs 2 - 3 most likely.

[murlee]

Egmore to remain railway hub

The Egmore station will remain a hub of train services and there is no proposal to shift services to Tambaram, Southern Railway said on Wednesday.

The south-bound services will continue to originate from Chennai Egmore, the Railways stated in a press note in the wake of concerns that the bulk of train services would be shifted to Tambaram.

However, because of the growth potential being limited at Chennai Egmore, some of the additional trains introduced in future will originate/terminate at Tambaram, Southern Railway said.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper...cle2736904.ece

[Vicvin86]

[Vicvin86]

[wlbkng]

A Suburban train in Chennai
image hosted on flickr

"நம்ம சென்னை மச்சி": Electric Train-A Part of Common man's Life by Premkumar_Sparkcrews, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

கரணம் தப்பினால் மரணம் ..! by Premkumar_Sparkcrews, on Flickr

cc: PremKumar.S
Spark Crews Studios

[natarajan1986]

good shot

[murlee]

Perungalathur railway stn in makeover mode

The railway station in Perungalathur, some 30km from Chennai, is set to get a facelift. Southern Railway has begun renovation and expansion works, including extension of platforms.
The existing platforms will be extended to accommodate 12-car trains. “These platforms were laid during the British era when most trains had nine compartments. Currently, over 10,000 commuters use the station daily,” an official said. The extension of the platforms will help residents from Perungalathur and adjoining Peerkankaranai to have easy access to the station.

At present, the two platforms can accommodate only trains with nine compartments. All 84 suburban trains halting at Perungalathur have 12 compartments and commuters at Perungalathur refuse to board the last three compartments of 12-car trains and jam themselves in the remaining coaches, risking their lives.

Of the 17 stations on the 45-km Guindy-Chengalpet section, Perungalathur is the only one with platforms that can accommodate trains with nine compartments. “During rush hour, commuters push each other to get in or get off trains. Extending the platforms and building subways and foot overbridges are welcome steps,” said K Murali of Perungalathur.

Loss of lives between Tambaram and Vandalur, especially on the track in Perungalathur, is a big concern for the Railways, as on an average, at least five people are killed on the track each month in Perungalathur alone. Besides, a new rail line will be laid exclusively for express trains.

At present, the suburban service between Tambaram and Chengalpet is limited and suburban trains have to wait at yards at the Tambaram station to allow express trains to use the limited tracks available in Perungalathur. Commuters at many stations, including Perungalathur, are put to hardship.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Defau...&ViewMode=HTML

[ceeznic pirate]

not sure how they can extend when there are railway gates at either ends of the current platform.

[wlbkng]

They were telling one of those gates were going to be closed.. The one opposite to the aakash bhavan will be closed I think.

[kannan infratech]

I am amazed by the moulded plywood seats in suburban trains. Even after so many years, they are good. Only, polishing is needed.

Compared to the cushion seats (with less quality Plywood inside) which have to be replaced often, these are ideal for our kind of people.

Even in Coimbatore Hotels, I have seen chairs made out of these Moulded Plywood. With Lumbar support et al. Fantastic.

I was told that even if they are exposed to atmosphere, they will not go bad for long years.

But the SG & CG have started restricting felling of trees for Plywood manufacturing. Plastics are slowly replacing.

[arun82]

I think SR can introduce the below mentioned trains from tambaram


Chennai Central- Kolhapur Via-Anantapur,Bellary
Porbandar- Chennai Central SF Exp Via- Kadapa,Pune,Kalyan,Surat,Rajkot

Also move the Kacheguda, kallinada, Guwhati express to tambaram. No south bound trains is required from tambaram

[vinodgopal]

Originally Posted by arun82

I think SR can introduce the below mentioned trains from tambaram


Chennai Central- Kolhapur Via-Anantapur,Bellary
Porbandar- Chennai Central SF Exp Via- Kadapa,Pune,Kalyan,Surat,Rajkot

Also move the Kacheguda, kallinada, Guwhati express to tambaram. No south bound trains is required from tambaram

Also a separate line to Pathankot which is tri-state border of Punjab, Himachal and Kashmir. Since only Jamu to Chennai serves that area which is not enough. Several apple vendors and dry fruit distritors would benefit.

What say folks? Naa common man (CM) na nalla sindhikarena?