Chennai Egmore–Thanjavur main line
Tiruchchirapalli–Chennai Cholan Express is the prestigious train on Chennai Egmore–Thanjavur route.
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerIndian Railways
LocaleTamil Nadu
Termini
Service
Operator(s)Southern Railway zone
History
Opened1880 (1880)
Technical
Track lengthMain line: 351 km (218 mi)
Branch lines:
CGLTooltip Chengalpattu Junction railway stationAJJTooltip Arakkonam Junction railway station (63 kilometres (39 mi))
VMTooltip Viluppuram Junction railway stationPDYTooltip Puducherry railway station (38 kilometres (24 mi))
CUPJTooltip Cuddalore Port Junction railway stationVRITooltip Vriddhachalam Junction railway station (61 kilometres (38 mi))
MVTooltip Kumbakonam railway stationTVRTooltip Thiruvarur Junction railway station (39 kilometres (24 mi))
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Old gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)
ElectrificationYes
Highest elevationChennai Egmore 8 metres (26 ft)
Thanjavur 60 metres (200 ft)
Route map

km
Chennai Central 11
Basin Bridge 9
to Chennai–Bangalore line
Chennai diamond junction
Washermanpet 7
to Gudur–Chennai section
6
Royapuram
4
Chennai Beach
3
Chennai Fort
1
Chennai Park
0
Chennai Egmore
2
Chetput
Cooum River
4
Nungambakkam
5
Kodambakkam
7
Mambalam
8
Saidapet
Adyar River
State Highway 48
11
Guindy
13
St. Thomas Mount
14
Pazhavanthangal
16
Meenambakkam / Chennai Airport
17
Tirusulam
Arakkonam Junction 63
19
Pallavaram
on Chennai–Bangalore line
21
Chromepet
Arakkonam Naval Air Station
23
Tambaram Sanatorium
Kollar River
25
Tambaram
Takkolam 56
NH32-IN.svg NH 32
Tirumalpur 49
28
Perungalathur
Kanchipuram 36
30
Vandalur
Kanchipuram East 35
33
Urapakkam
Nathapettai 29
36
Guduvancheri
State Highway 48
39
Potheri
Walajabad 22
41
Kattankulathur
Pazhava Seevaram 15
43
Maraimalai Nagar Kamarajar
Palur 12
Ford factory
Villiyambakkam 10
47
Singaperumal Koil
Radipalayam 8
52
Paranur
56 / 0
Chengalpattu Junction
Palar River
59
Tirumani
64
Otivakkam
69
Padalam
76
Karunghuzi
80
Madurantakam
87
Pakkam
91
Melmaruvathur
94
Acharapakkam
100
Tozhuppedu
NH32-IN.svg NH 32
105
Karasangal
110
Olakur
114
Panchalam
121
Tindivanam
NH32-IN.svg NH 32
131
Mailam
136
NediMozhiyanur
Thondi River
Sankara Parani River
139
Perani
147
Vikravandi
152
Mundiyampakkam
NH45-IN.svg NH 45
to Katpadi Junction on West South line
158 / 0
Viluppuram Junction
NH332-IN.svg NH 332
to Puducherry
to Chord line
166
Serndanur
Thenpennai River
172
Thiruthuraiyur
NH36-IN.svg NH 36
178
Panruti
State Highway 9
186
Melpattambakkam
191
Nellikuppam
196
Varakalpattu
201
Thirupadiripuliyur
State Highway 68
205 / 0
Cuddalore Port Junction
Kullanchavandi 14
209
Capper Quarry
Kurinjipadi 25
NH332-IN.svg NH 332
NH36-IN.svg NH 36
217
Alapakkam
Vadalur 30
Alapakkam Oil Refinery
Neyyeli 38
225
Puduchattiram
Neyyeli Lignite Mines
232
Parangipettai
Uttangal Mangalam 45
Vellar River
to Chord line
238
Killai
to Salem
243
Chidambaram
State Highway 69
248
Vellampadugai
Vriddhachalam Junction 58
Kollidam River
Vellar River
250
Kollidam
to Chord line
257
Arasur
261
Sirkazhi
266
Vaithiswaran Koil
State Highway 150
274
Anandatandyapuram
276
Nidur
Kaveri
280 / 0
Mayiladuthurai Junction
Malliyam 284
8
Manganallur
Kuttalam 288
12
Kollamangudi
Narasingampet 295
16 / 0
Peralam Junction
State Highway 22
Aduthurai 300
19
Punthotam
Tiruvidaimaruthur 303
24
Nannilam
Tirunagesvaram 306
31
Virkudi
State Highway 66
36
Koddikalpalayam
Kumbakonam 311
Darasuram 315
39
Thiruvarur Junction
Swamimalai 318
8
Ambagarattur
Sundaraperumal Kovil 320
13
Pattakudi
Kudamuruti River
16
Thirunallaru
Papanasam 324
21
Karai Kovilpthu
Pandaravadai 327
23
Karaikal
Ayyampet 333
28
Tirumalairayanapattinam
Pasupatikovil 335
34
Nagore
Vettar River
39
Vellipalayam
Titte 341
40
Nagapattinam Beach
Thanjavur Junction 350
41
Nagapattinam Junction
on Tiruchirappalli–Nagapattinam line

The Chennai Egmore–Thanjavur main line (via Kumbakonam ) connects Chennai Egmore and Thanjavur Junction both in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Chennai Egmore–Thanjavur main line is part of ChennaiViluppuramChidambaram-MayiladuthuraiKumbakonamThanjavurTiruchirappalli line. There are several branch lines (included here): ChengalpattuArakkonam links to Chennai Central–Bengaluru City line, Guntakal–Chennai Egmore section, Viluppuram–Puducherry, CuddaloreVirudhachalam, Mayiladuthurai–Thiruvarur, and PeralamNagapattinam sectors. The line connects the Kaveri delta to Chennai.

History

The "main line" of the metre-gauge railway system in the Coromandel Coast connected Chennai with Tiruchchirappalli via Viluppuram, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, and Thanjavur junctions.[1] The Chennai–Mayiladuthurai–Thanjavur–Tiruchirappalli line continues to be thought of as the "main line".[2][3]

In 1861 the Great Southern of India Railway (GSIR) built the 125 km (78 mi)-long 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) wide 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge line between Nagapattinam and Tiruchirapalli (then known as Trichinopoly) and the line was opened to traffic next year.[4] It was a new development south of Chennai. After taking over of GSIR by South Indian Railway Company in 1874, the Nagapattinam–Tiruchirapalli line was converted to 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)-wide metre gauge in 1875.[5] Again after conversion, the 125 km (78 mi)-long 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)-wide broad-gauge line between Nagapattinam and Tiruchirapalli was opened in 2001–02

The South India Railway Company laid a 715 km (444 mi)-long metre-gauge trunk line from Chennai to Thoothukudi via Viluppuram, Cuddalore Port (then known as Cuddalore Junction), Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli (then known as Trichinopoly), Madurai, Virudhunagar in 1880.[6] The 84 km (52 mi)-long Tindivanam–Cuddalore Port (then known as Cuddalore Junction) sector, 27.60 km (17 mi) long Cuddalore Port–Porto Novo sector and 19.71 km (12 mi) long Shyali–Mayiladuthurai sector were opened in 1877, thereby connecting Tindivanam to the already opened Tiruchirappalli–Nagapattinam line.[7] But during gauge conversion in years 1995–2000 the 84 km (52 mi)-long Tindivanam–Cuddalore Port (then known as Cuddalore Junction) sector, 27.60 km (17 mi)-long Cuddalore Port–Porto Novo sector & 19.71 km (12 mi)-long Shyali–Mayiladuthurai sector were never made into 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)-wide 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge line.

Following an agreement between the British and the French, a 38 km (24 mi)-long metre-gauge line was laid between Puducherry and Viluppuram around 1877–1879.[5]

A 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)-wide line was laid between Arakkonam and Kanchipuram (then known as Conjeevaram) in 1865 by Indian Tramway Company.[4] The line was converted to metre gauge in 1878 and opened in 1891. The Chengalpattu–Walajabad line was opened in 1880.[7]

Viluppuram was connected to Vriddhachalam in 1927 by a 55 km (34 mi)-long railway track.[7]

The 36 km (22 mi)-long MayiladuthuraiTharangambadi (then known as Tranquebar) line which was opened by British for people in 1926 and was closed in 1987 for broad gauge conversion.[8] But the project is standing still for 33 years now

Suburban railway

A major part of the South Line, Chennai Suburban is part of this line. The area south of Chennai was served by a single line shared by passenger and goods trains till 1931. Electric trains in the sector were planned as early as 1923. Construction work began in 1926 and was completed in 1931. A new line for electric trains was added between Chennai Beach and Egmore, and two lines were added between Egmore and Tambaram.[9] The first MG EMU services were run on 1.5 kV DC overhead lines on 11 May 1931.[10] In the 1960s the Chennai Beach–Tambaram–Viluppuram sector was converted from 1.5 kV DC traction to 25 kV AC traction and limited EMU services were extended to Chengalpet. In 1969, an additional metre-gauge track was laid between Tambaram and Chengalpet. Starting with the 1995s the entire area was converted to broad gauge.[10]

Gauge conversions

With the conversion from metre gauge to broad gauge, the entire 494 km (307 mi)-long EgmoreTambaramTiruchirapalliDindigulMadurai sector was completed, broad-gauge passenger traffic was initiated in March 2001. The left over conversion work was then completed and the last metre-gauge EMU service ran between Tambaram and Egmore on 1 July 2004.[11]

Conversion from metre gauge to broad gauge of the ViluppuramPuducherry branch line was completed in 2004. The Cuddalore Port JunctionVriddhachalam sector was converted in 2003.[12] After conversion work of the ThanjavurTiruvarur broad-gauge section was opened to traffic in 2006 and Tiruvarur–Nagore section in 2010.[13]

The 192 km (119 mi)-long Viluppuram–Thanjavur was converted to broad gauge in 2010.[14]

A broad-gauge line (conversion from metre-gauge) connecting Chengalpattu with Arakkonam was built in 1999–2000. The Thakolam–Arakkonam sector had to be realigned because of its proximity to the Arakkonam Naval Air Station. Thakolam–Arakkonam sector as diverted another route start near Thakolam to Melpadi Goods Yard route end Complete 2019. This new route fully electrified complete Chengalpattu–Arakkonam line [15][16]

Electrification

The metre-gauge track of Madras Beach–Tambaram sector was electrified in 1931 with 1.5 kV DC overhead system. In the 1950s, Indian Railways decided on using 25 kV AC overhead system on a national basis. The Madras Beach–Tambaram sector was converted to 25 kV AC overhead system in 1967.[17][18]

The Tambaram–Chengalpattu–Viluppuram sector was electrified in 1964–65 and then again in 2000–01 (after gauge conversion) along with the Chengalpattu–Kanchipuram sector.[18]

The broad-gauge Viluppuram–Puducherry line was electrified in 2006.[19]

The broad-gauge Viluppuram–Tiruchirapalli sector was electrified in 2010.[20]

New electrification survey in 2012–13 had been sanctioned in the Railway Budget for the Karaikkal/Karaikkal port–Thiruvarur–Thanjavur–Tiruchchirappalli and Nagapattinam–Velankkani sectors.[21]

The execution of electrification of Villupuram–Cuddalore Port–Chidambaram-Mayiladuturai–Kumbakonam–Thanjavur and Mayiladuturai–Thiruvarur has been given to Rail Vikas Nigam.[22]

The main line (Villupuram to Tiruchirappalli via Mayiladuthurai) electrification was completed in several parts [as Tiruchirappalli to Thanjavur, Villupuram to Cuddalore Port Junction, Cuddalore Port Junction to Mayiladuthurai Junction and then Mayiladuthurai Junction to Thanjavur Junction] and opened for end to end travel for public on 14 November 2020.

Railway reorganization

The Great Southern Railway of India and Carnatic Railway merged to form South Indian Railway Company in 1874.[5]

In the early 1950s legislation was passed authorizing the central government to take over independent railway systems that were there. On 14 April 1951 the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway, the South Indian Railway Company and Mysuru State Railway were merged to form Southern Railway. Subsequently, Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway was also merged into Southern Railway. On 2 October 1966, the Secunderabad, Solapur, Hubli and Vijayawada Divisions, covering the former territories of Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway and certain portions of Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway were separated from Southern Railway to form the South Central Railway. In 1977, Guntakal division of Southern Railway was transferred to South Central Railway and the Solapur division transferred to Central Railway. Amongst the seven new zones created in 2010 was South Western Railway, which was carved out of Southern Railway.[23]

References

  1. "Four Cauvery Delta Branches". IRFCA. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  2. R. Rajaram (20 April 2011). "More BG sections to be electrified". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 April 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  3. "Villupuram District at a Glance". Villupuram district administration. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  4. 1 2 "IR History: Early Days – I". Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1832–1865). Archived from the original on 7 March 2005. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 "IR History: Early Days – II". Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1870–1899). Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  6. "Chugging into the past". The Hindu. 18 December 2004. Archived from the original on 22 January 2005. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 R. P. Saxena. "Indian Railway History Time line". Irse.bravehost.com. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  8. "New trains, lines cheer passengers". The Hindu. 27 February 2013. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  9. A.Srivathsan (16 August 2010). "How electric suburban railway service began". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  10. 1 2 Bharath Moro. "Chennai Area Gauge Conversion". IRFCA. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  11. Moro, Bharath (May 2005). "Chennai Area Gauge Conversion". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 January 2005. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  12. "Trichur rly division nets Rs. 23.77 cr. Passenger earnings". The Hindu. 16 August 2004. Archived from the original on 16 April 2005. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  13. "More trains in pipeline for delta districts, says Southern Railway GM". The Hindu. 19 February 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  14. "Cholan Express back on track". The Hindu. 28 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 August 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  15. Selvan, Dennis (25 February 2011). "Electrify 8 km on Thakolam-Arakkonam track". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  16. Selvan, Dennis (25 February 2011). "Rail budget '99". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2013. Gauge conversion to be completed in 1999–2000
  17. "Electric Traction I". Electric Traction Voltages. IRFCA. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  18. 1 2 "History of Electrification". IRFCA. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  19. "Villupuram–Puducherry electrified track awaits clearance from CRS". The Hindu. 24 May 2006. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  20. "Electrified BG section to be inaugurated". The Hindu. 28 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  21. "Specific items for Southern Railway in Railway Budget 2012–13". New Railway Electrification Surveys sanctioned in 2012–13. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  22. "Project Management Consultancy for "Design, Supply, Erection, Testing & Commissioning of 25 kV, 50 Hz, Single Phase Traction Over-head Equipment, Switching Stations, Traction Sub-stations, SCADA, Signal and Telecommunication works, General Electrical service works and Civil Engineering works i.e. Service Buildings, Quarters, Tower wagon sidings/sheds, and other associated works between Villupuram–Cuddalore Port–Mayiladuturai –Thanjavur & Mayiladuturai –Thiruvarur Sections comprising of 228 RKM/ 286 TKM of Tiruchchirappalli Division, Southern Railway, Tamil Nadu"". Rail Vikas Nigam Limited. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  23. "Geography – Railway Zones". IRFCA. Archived from the original on 19 August 2007. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
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