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The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Launched in April, AC suburban train services fail to attract commuters
The first air-conditioned suburban train service, launched by the Southern Railway in April, has failed to garner positive response from the commuters, despite the sweltering heat. The 12-car AC electric multiple unit (EMU), operated on the Beach-Chengalpattu via Tambaram route, does not carry even half the sitting capacity (1,120 persons), with the average patronage being only 1,500 commuters per day. While the Metro services in the city reach full capacity during peak hours, the AC EMU is yet to touch even 50% of its total carrying capacity (3,798 persons). The AC EMU services were allotted to the Chennai Division after several a second unit is expected. Designed like Metro trains with automatic door system, the EMUs have vestibular coaches, stainless steel seats, and fans for additional air circulation. On one hand, commuters point to the high fare, while on the other, transport activists attribute the lukewarm response to poor planning of operations. Dayanand Krishnan, a train enthusiast and resident of Chitlapakkam, cites the exorbitant fare as the probable reason for poor patronage. In a petition to the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Mr. Krishnan sought reduction of the fare, which has been fixed at ₹85 from Beach to Tambaram, and ₹105 from Chengalpattu to Beach. Comparing the city's AC EMUs with the Vande Metro operating from Bhuj to Anjar in Gujarat, he said the latter, which had a far better technology with ergonomic seats, charged only ₹55 for a 42-km ride as against the ₹85 for a 30-km ride between Tambaram and Beach. While the minimum fare is fixed at ₹35 for up to 10 km, the monthly season ticket price is fixed at ₹2,115 from Beach to Chengalpattu, and ₹1,705 from Beach to Tambaram. Regular commuters said better planning of operations could increase patronage of the services. At present, the AC EMU, which is attached to the Tambaram shed, is being operated on a longer route — from Beach to Chengalpattu — involving a travel time of more than one-and-a-half hours. It is also operated for 10 services only. T. Raghunathan, a regular suburban commuter from Perungalathur, said they should be operated as short services from Tambaram to Beach rather than till Chengalpattu. He called for more services during morning and evening peak hours, parallel to the suburban services, which are usually jam-packed. The commuters also want the AC EMU services to be operated on the west section, at least between Beach and Avadi. A senior official of the Chennai Division said the AC EMU fare had been fixed based on ones charged for AC train services in Mumbai. He added that they would examine the feasibility of operating more services from Beach to Tambaram.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Tambaram seeks 1,241 cr for UG sewage project
Chennai: Nearly eight months after the Madambakkam lake was found contaminated with faecal matter, Tambaram corporation informed the (NGT) that it needs 1,241.32 crore from the Tamil Nadu govt to begin constructing underground sewerage lines for Zone 5 colonies. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The project is yet to be approved, and even if financial sanction is granted, it will take at least two more years to complete — a timeline that has angered residents who still depend on the polluted lake for drinking water. In its June 3 order, the NGT questioned the absence of interim measures and directed the corporation to file a report explaining how sewage outfalls into the lake have been plugged. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), whose 2024 lab report found high levels of faecal and total coliform in the lake, was ordered to inspect all surrounding buildings and initiate action against any fresh contamination. The Board earlier served a showcause notice after repeated violations and inaction. NGT also sought clarity on the layout of a private project near the lake, where the state water resources department (WRD) has now suggested a peripheral drain with a 3-metre setback to allow the lake's foreshore runoff to pass through safely. The developer was directed to submit a detailed drainage map showing how this water will be diverted back into the lake. The Tribunal noted that the layout is not inside the lake but hydraulically connected to it, making the proposed micro-drain of at least 1.80m x 1.90m essential. While Tambaram e corporation cited a pending detailed project report, the NGT observed that no updates were received on earlier directions, including one from January 2025 to submit building permits and environmental clearance details for the same site. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The collector was also asked to verify whether the Madambakkam lake features in the National Wetland Atlas — a detail critical to determining protection under wetland rules. With no water treatment plant in place and residents still dependent on overhead tank chlorination, the NGT has warned of stricter action if further delays persist. The matter has been posted for final hearing to July 3. Instead of waiting for the 1,241 crore, the govt should clear the 14.5 crore proposal for intercepting and diverting sewage outfalls around Madambakkam lake through peripheral channels, along with the 3.5 MLD sewage treatment plant — a plan submitted by Tambaram corporation nearly seven months ago, said Dayanand Krishnan, a resident-activist from Tambaram. The 4.6 crore proposal for a water treatment plant should also be prioritised, he added.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Chennai commuters express concern as redevelopment work at 15 railway stations drags on
Chennai commuters and social activists have expressed concerns over delays and hardships caused by ongoing railway station redevelopment and track work. Currently, the Southern Railway is undertaking the redevelopment of 15 stations in Chennai division under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and is also constructing a fourth line from Beach to Egmore, and upgrading Egmore terminal and other passenger amenities. As per the initial plans of the Southern Railway, the redevelopment of railway stations under various projects including ABSS was planned to be executed within eight to 12 months but normally the work gets delayed by several months. This execution of the construction work causes severe inconveniences to the commuters in the form of blocked accessways. The work also poses a risk of accidents to commuters, especially senior citizens, and causes inconvenience due to cancellations or curtailments of suburban train services. Transport activist Dayanand Krishnan, referring to the new foot over bridge being constructed at the Tambaram railway station, complained about the contractor executing the work without putting in place safety measures. He also pointed out the delays involved in such redevelopment works. Similar is the case of the delay in the execution of the redevelopment work in Egmore railway station and the fourth line project executed from Egmore to Beach. The redevelopment work of the Egmore railway station was initiated in 2022 but the work is moving slowly, complained several commuters. S. Harish, a regular commuter from Avadi, the 4.5 km fourth line project was proposed to be completed within eight months but the work was completed only two years later. He also said the redevelopment work executed under ABSS project was not being completed on time. M. Senthamil Selvan, Chief Public Relations Officer of Southern Railway, explained that projects like railway station renovations under ABSS are 'brownfield projects,' which involve remodelling existing structures, posing unique execution challenges. The Railways has to take extra precautionary steps to avoid any difficulties to commuters and at the same time continue operating the trains. He said the norm is that any brownfield project is likely to be delayed, while greenfield projects where work begins from scratch can be easily completed on time. He said directions have been issued to the contractor to barricade the area where new FOB work was being executed in Tambaram railway station to avoid any inconveniences to the commuters.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Brownfield projects normally cause delays in execution of renovation works, claims railway official
Commuters and social activists have expressed concerns over delays and hardships caused by ongoing railway station redevelopment and track work. Currently, the Southern Railway is undertaking the redevelopment of 15 stations in Chennai division under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and is also constructing a fourth line from Beach to Egmore, and upgrading Egmore terminal and other passenger amenities. As per the initial plans of the Southern Railway, the redevelopment of railway stations under various projects including ABSS was planned to be executed within eight to 12 months but normally the work gets delayed by several months. This execution of the construction work causes severe inconveniences to the commuters in the form of blocked accessways. The work also poses a risk of accidents to commuters, especially senior citizens, and causes inconvenience due to cancellations or curtailments of suburban train services. Transport activist Dayanand Krishnan, referring to the new foot over bridge being constructed at the Tambaram railway station, complained about the contractor executing the work without putting in place safety measures. He also pointed out the delays involved in such redevelopment works. Similar is the case of the delay in the execution of the redevelopment work in Egmore railway station and the fourth line project executed from Egmore to Beach. The redevelopment work of the Egmore railway station was initiated in 2022 but the work is moving slowly, complained several commuters. S. Harish, a regular commuter from Avadi, the 4.5 km fourth line project was proposed to be completed within eight months but the work was completed only two years later. He also said the redevelopment work executed under ABSS project was not being completed on time. M. Senthamil Selvan, Chief Public Relations Officer of Southern Railway, explained that projects like railway station renovations under ABSS are 'brownfield projects,' which involve remodelling existing structures, posing unique execution challenges. The Railways has to take extra precautionary steps to avoid any difficulties to commuters and at the same time continue operating the trains. He said the norm is that any brownfield project is likely to be delayed, while greenfield projects where work begins from scratch can be easily completed on time. He said directions have been issued to the contractor to barricade the area where new FOB work was being executed in Tambaram railway station to avoid any inconveniences to the commuters.
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Railway allots Rs 6.7K crore for Tamil Nadu this year; works stalled for 20 years to resume
CHENNAI: After facing severe backlash from both rail passengers and the ruling DMK government over inadequate funding for new lines and doubling projects last year, the Railways significantly enhanced its budget allocation for 2025-26. A total of Rs 612.8 crore has been earmarked for eight new line projects, compared to Rs 339 crore the previous year. Among these, the Nagari-Tindivanam new line project, for which 95% of land has already been acquired, received Rs 347 crore. A total of Rs 6,626 crore was allocated for Tamil Nadu for 2025-26. The funding details were obtained through an RTI request filed by TNIE and activist Dayanand Krishnan, as the Railways have stopped publishing the Pink Book, which traditionally disclosed the annual budget allocations. The Madurai-Thoothukudi (via Aruppukottai) project (143.5km), for which the land acquisition unit was dismantled last year for want of funds, has been allotted Rs 55.2 crore. Notably, the long-delayed Erode-Palani new line, which has existed only on paper for nearly 20 years, received Rs 50 crore. The Chennai-Cuddalore new line via Mahabalipuram was also granted Rs 52.1 crore. Allocation for doubling projects has also shown significant improvement.
