Chennai Division of Southern Railway is an important division that serves a huge population. Various recent developmental works in Chennai Division has strengthened its infrastructure to serve the people better. Some of the recent achievements are :-
Passenger earnings of Chennai Division from April 2017 to January 2018 stood at Rs.1640.59 crores, as against 1542.18 crores during the same period last year registering an improvement of 6.38% over last year. Chennai Division operated 2018 special trainsduring the year 2017-18 (April 17 to January 18) In order to serve suburban commuters better, 51 cross sectoral services were introduced between MRTS and North East/South West Lines, thus creating new traffic pattern.
Intensive efforts in digitisation has made “Operation 5 Minutes” popular with passengers, which has resulted in 40% growth in passenger tickets booked through ATVM and 5 times growth in passenger tickets through UTS Mobile Apps. Around 184 numbers of POS machines have been installed various stations booking office/reservation offices in Chennai Division to support cash less transactions. In order to cater to additional rush of passengers, Additional UTS counters have been opened at Palavanthangal, Perambur, Tambaram and Basin Bridge Junction.
As part of increasing Traffic Facilities, a new Coaching Depot at Tambaram has become functional and it has strengthened the Terminal Coaching facilities of Chennai Division. After the 4th line between Ennore and Tiruvottiyur of 7 kms has been commissioned during March 2017, traffic flow is faster on dedicated lines. The construction of two more platforms, No. 15 & 16 with platform shelters at Chennai Central and a new Double Discharge Platform at Mambalam Station has eased passenger flow at these stations.
In Chennai Division, speed of various sections has been increased after strengthening the tracks to improve punctuality and speed. Speed has been increased from 90 kmph to 100 kmph on the 17 km long Tiruvalangadu – Tiruvallur section (4th line), from 80 kmph to 105 kmph between Melmaruvathur – Acharapakkam (2 Km) and from 85 kmph to 100 kmph between Thozhupedu – Tindivanam, and from 80 kmph to 100 kmph between Melmaruvathur and Thozhupedu.
On the freight front, Walajabad has been declared as Container Rail Terminal and long awaited Auto-hub facilities have been developed at Walajabad to cater to Auto traffic from Sriperumbudur area to various destinations in the country.
Chennai Division leads Southern Railway in GREEN ENERGY with 8564 nos. of LED lights/fittings of various wattages provided from April to November 2017 at various Railway buildings in Chennai Division. Out of 160 stations, 100% LED converted in 91 Stations leading to a reduction in connected load by 740904 kW per year which has resulted in saving of Rs.59.72 lakhs per year. Also, 216 nos. of energy efficient LED signage boards have been provided at ‘A’ and ‘B’ category station viz., Arakkonam, Mambalam, Melmaruvathur, Chengalpattu & Tambaram stations for easy identification of facilities by passengers.
On the safety front, with the manning of an unmanned LC in Chengalpattu – Arakkonam section from November 2017 onwards, Chennai Division is free from Unmanned LCs
On the Passenger Security Front, 306 new digital cameras were installed in 7 stations viz. Chennai Central (98 nos.), Chennai Egmore (80 nos.), Tambaram (48 nos.), Basin Bridge (28 nos.), Tiruvallur (16 nos.), Chennai Beach (16 nos.), Mambalam (8 Nos.) and Moore Market Complex (12 nos.), thus covering the entire platform and concourse area of these stations for the first time. In addition, 42 new digital CC TV cameras were introduced at Katpadi, thus ensuring full coverage of Katpadi station for the first time.
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Some of the Station specific developments are:
Katpadi: With a footfall of around 18,000 passengers a day, Katpadi Railway Station caters to 11 originating trains and 67 passing through trains. Recently, the renovation of the main concourse hall at Rs.15 lakhs, Provision of Lift and Escalator at Rs.98 lakhs, Provision of 100 % LED Lights and energy efficient BLDC fans at a cost of Rs.6.30 lakhs, and Relocation and Renovation of Booking Office with Electronic Token System have made Katpadi an attractive Railway Stations serving passengers.
On the Staff Welfare front, Beautification of Railway Staff Colony and Development of Garden with recreational facilities have been done at a cost of Rs.36.10 lakhs. For betterment of Railway working facilities, a new rest room for track mainteners at a cost of Rs.27 lakhs, and a new modern Crew Lobby at a cost of Rs.20.90 lakhs along with 10 KWp Solar panel at running room at a cost of 7 lakhs and solar water heater at Running Room and Retiring Room at a cost of 2.20 lakhs has been provided.
Works in Progress include 2nd Lift and 2nd Escalator at a cost of Rs.98 lakhs, New Subway connecting VIT Hostel to the college at 9.50 crores, Extension of AC waiting hall at Rs.22 lakhs, additional retiring rooms at 28.60 lakhs, and Multi Level 2 wheeler parking at 2.5 crores are in progress.
Kancheepuram: With a footfall of around 5000 passengers a day, Kancheepuram Railway Station serves an important pilgrim centre. Recently, the development of Circulating area with garden, decorative lighting and entrance gateway at a cost of Rs.15.10 lakhs, Provision of Solar Panel at a cost of Rs.7 lakhs, and renovation of retiring room, lounge, and booking counters at a cost of 14 lakhs along with Provision of Lift at a cost of Rs.20 lakhs and 100% LED lighting at a cost of Rs.1.90 lakhs has made the station more attractive to the passengers.
Walaja Road: With a footfall of around 4000 passengers a day, Walajah Road Railway Station has been recently made better with the beautification of the Platform at a cost of Rs.18.50 lakhs, Renovation of Waiting Hall and Booking office at a cost of Rs.2.8 lakhs, Provision of Pay and Use Toilets at a cost of Rs.2.5 lakhs and a Heritage Display Room at a cost of Rs.3.20 lakhs.
Apart from these stations, improvements have been made at other stations like Mukundaraypuram, Palur and Arakkonam.
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