News Brief
Southern Railway’s New Turnback Facility At Gummidipoondi To Streamline Suburban Trains And Ease Congestion In Gudur Section
Gummidipundi Railway Station
In a move aimed at improving operational efficiency and enhancing suburban train services, the Southern Railway has announced plans to install a new turnback facility at Gummidipoondi railway station as reported by The Hindu.
This facility, once commissioned, will enable faster switching of suburban trains from up line to down line, thereby reducing delays and streamlining train operations.
Current Challenges in the Gudur Section
The Gudur section, which is one of the most congested railway stretches, currently accommodates both freight and express trains. Due to the presence of only two tracks beyond Athipattu Pudhu Nagar, the operations of suburban train services in the north section remain limited.
At present, the turn-back facility for suburban trains is located beyond Gummidipoondi railway station, which causes delays in switching trains between tracks.
Rs 5 Crore Project to Enhance Train Operations
The proposed signal modernization project, estimated to cost Rs 5 crore, will enable quicker turnback time by allowing entry and exit of commuters directly from the up platform. This will also increase the operational efficiency of electrical multiple units (EMUs), ensuring smoother and faster suburban train movement.
Gummidipoondi’s Role as an Industrial Hub
According to social activist S. Suresh Babu, Gummidipoondi is a key industrial hub, home to several large-scale industries. While the presence of four tracks till Athipattu Pudhu Nagar has facilitated the operation of multiple suburban train services, the limited two-track system beyond Athipattu has constrained further expansion, unlike the Tambaram section, which enjoys frequent train services.
Demand for Four Tracks Till Sullurpetta
Babu has urged Southern Railway to consider expanding the track system to four lines till Sullurpetta. He justified this demand by highlighting the growing population of North Chennai that relies on suburban rail services for daily commutes. He emphasised that such an expansion would significantly improve railway connectivity and reduce travel congestion in the region.
