Currently, there are three tracks in the section between Chennai Beach and Egmore for suburban electric train services. Two tracks are dedicated to operating suburban trains, while the third track is used for express and goods trains.
Since there are no additional tracks available, it is not possible to run more trains. Consequently, an appeal was made to lay a fourth track between Chennai Beach and Egmore Stations.
This appeal was accepted by the Railway Department, and they approved the project to lay the fourth track at a cost of Rs. 280 Crores. An allocation of Rs. 96.70 Crores was made for this project in the current financial year (2023-24). Subsequently, the project to lay the fourth track between Chennai Beach and Egmore Stations commenced in the last week of August.
In the first phase of this project, the task of removing materials such as old tracks, plants, and other debris is in progress. After completing this phase, the initial activities for laying the fourth track will begin, and currently, this phase is progressing rapidly.
Southern Railway officials provided the following information:
"The tracks that were originally laid for the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) at Fort and Park Stations have been removed. The demolition of station platforms at these locations is now 80% complete.
Presently, the work is underway to remove the 3rd, 4th, and 5th platforms as well as the overbridge at Fort Station. Construction at Park Station is also being demolished. Levelling work and the laying of a foundation base are in progress at some locations. Once these tasks are completed, the process of constructing the tracks will commence.
We have planned to finish this project of laying the fourth track between Chennai Beach and Egmore Stations within 7 months. Once the fourth track is operational, additional trains can be run in this section."