Since the increase in permissible speed, the Chengalpet-Tambaram-Beach route will have more trains.
Story so far: For those travelling by suburban trains on this route, the trains are often overcrowded due to the morning rush. The newly laid line has been used for suburban and express trains since March. It previously had a maximum permissible speed limit of 80 kmph, which has now been increased to 100 kmph.
- Increasing the speed on the line helps the railways operate more trains on the route. This will help reduce congestion in the morning peak hours starting from 6.30 am.
- The number of trains from Chengalpet to Tambaram isn’t adequate to handle the passenger volume. There are already more services from Tambaram to the Beach.
What about the evenings? Pandia Raja from the Zonal Rail Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) said services in the evening are fine, but more can be added between 5 and 7 pm. One official said a shortage of rakes could make it difficult for the railways to add services.