The trial run of the fourth line project by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, initially scheduled for January, has been postponed to March due to pending track work, according to M. Senthamil Selvan, Chief Public Relations Officer of Southern Railway.
The track expansion project, executed by the Construction Wing at a cost of ₹274 crore, is expected to be commissioned in April.
The fourth line project aims to provide a dedicated track network for freight, mail, and express trains, easing congestion in the Gudur section of Andhra Pradesh and reducing the burden on Dr. MGR Chennai Central Railway Station. This expansion is expected to improve operational efficiency and accommodate more train services.
Initiated in August 2023 with an initial completion timeline of six months, the project has encountered delays primarily due to land acquisition challenges involving the State government and the Defence Ministry. As part of the project, Mass Rapid Transit Services (MRTS), operating from Beach to Velachery, were truncated at Chintadripet. The services resumed in November last year after temporary disruptions.
Further complications arose as a section of the MRTS track from Fort to Beach was taken over, with the Reserve Bank of India declining to provide the required land. Despite these challenges, railway authorities remain optimistic about commissioning the fourth line project within the revised schedule, promising improved rail connectivity and reduced congestion in the region.
Published – February 01, 2025 01:13 am IST