CHENNAI: Rail commuters dependent on the Chennai-Arakkonam route are alleging that local train services are being neglected by the railways, causing inconvenience to lakhs. They claim the number of services has been gradually reduced, with less preference given to local trains, forcing passengers to spend more time travelling.
Six months after the permanent cancellation of around 56 Chennai suburban local trains, the railway has now cancelled four additional trains—Chennai-Avadi/Pattabiram and Chennai-Gummidipundi—effective from January 1. Additionally, trains on these routes frequently run 20-25 minutes late during peak hours.
A spokesperson for the Chennai Railway Division stated that the 56 cancelled services would be gradually reinstated once ongoing engineering maintenance work is completed. He also justified the cancellation of the four trains to Pattabiram, Avadi, and Gummidipundi from January 1, citing low patronage.
The trains cancelled in the revised timetable include the Chennai Central - Pattabiram Military Siding train departing at 9.15 pm, the Beach-Avadi at 8.20 pm, the Gummidipundi-Beach at 9.55 pm, and the Beach-Gummidipundi at 10.45 pm.
Passengers have also complained that the nine-coach rakes on the Chennai-Arakkonam route have not been upgraded to 12-car rakes.
S Ganesh Kumar from Kadambambattur said all Chennai-bound trains to Arakkonam halt for about 10 minutes before reaching Avadi station. “In the evening, trains are also stopped for 10-15 minutes outside Tiruvalankadu station. Despite overcrowding, the proposed upgrade to 12-car coaches has not been completed yet,” he said.Another commuter,
V Kamatchi, said, “Local trains from Arakkonam, starting with the 6.40 am service, rarely depart on time. The 7:10 am train often leaves 10-15 minutes late, creating inconvenience for regular travellers.”
Commuters often wait for nearly an hour at Avadi, Pattabiram, and Thiruninravur stations due to delays in train departures from Arakkonam.
“The overall punctuality of local trains has improved over time. Except for essential cases, trains are not stopped at signals. Additionally, the extension of the line from Puliyamangalam to Arakkonam has been approved. Once completed, it will alleviate track congestion and improve operations. Only a handful of rakes have not been converted into 12-car trains, which will be done in a few weeks,” a railway official said.
The Chennai-Arakkonam-Katpadi-Jolarpettai section serves about 5.5 lakh passengers daily, with local and MEMU trains catering to large populations in villages along the Pattabiram-Tiruvallur-Arakkonam stretch.