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Suburban Trains in Chennai

Suburban Trains in Chennai is increasing its share of commuters, helping bring down the rush in MTC buses, with more routes available via the introduction of MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) and the proposed Metro rail project.

For many years, the suburban trains were sharing lines with the long-distance lines and hence served only in the following routes..

Tambaram <--> Chennai Beach,
Chennai Beach <--> Gummidipundi,
Chennai Central <--> Ambattur/Thiruvallur/Arakkonam,
Chennai Central <--> Gummidipundi/Sullurpetta

But with the introduction of MRTS, now the South-East of Chennai city is covered by the suburban train network. Currently MRTS services the following route..

Chennai Beach <--> Velachery.

Quick Guide :

Tambaram <--> Chennai Beach :

This route goes via the some important stations including Airport (Tirusulam RS) , and Egmore (Egmore RS) and Chennai Central Rail Terminal (Park RS). Apart from that it covers some important Industrial, Business/Retail and Education centers in Chennai. The list of stations enroute are given below..

Tambaram RS,
Tambaram Sanatorium RS,
Chromepet RS,
Pallavaram RS,
Tirusulam RS, (Airport)
Minambakkam RS,
Palavanthangal RS,
St.Thomas Mount RS,
Guindy RS, (Industrial area)
Saidapet RS,
Mambalam RS, (T.Nagar - Retail Business)
Kodambakkam RS,
Nungambakkam RS, (Business, Education)
Chetpat RS,
Chennai Egmore RS, (Rail Terminus)
Chennai Park RS, (Near Chennai Central)
Chennai Fort RS,
Chennai Beach RS

Chennai Beach <--> Gummidipundi

This route covers the North Chennai region including Thiruvottriyur and Ennore. Localities which are North of Ennore have not as much growth when compared to Southern suburbs of Chennai.

Chennai Beach RS,
Royapuram RS,
Washermanpet RS,
Korukkupet RS,
Tondiarpet RS,
V.O.C.Nagar RS,
Tiruvottiyur RS,
Wimco Nagar RS,
Kathivakkam RS,
Ennore RS,
Attipattu Pudunagar RS,
Attipattu RS,
Nandiambakkam H RS,
Minjur RS,
Anupampattu RS,
Ponneri RS,
Kavaraipettai RS,
Gummidipundi RS

Chennai Central <--> Ambattur/Thiruvallur/Arakkonam

This route connects Chennai to the industrial zone in Ambattur and its suburbs. This region is seeing some moderate growth during the previous real-estate boom. The stations enroute are...

Chennai Central RS,
Basin Bridge RS,
Vyasarpadi Jeeva RS,
Perambur RS,
Perambur Carriage works RS,
Perambur Loco Works RS,
Villivakkam RS,
Korattur RS,
Pattaravakkam RS,
Ambattur RS,
Thirumullaivoil RS,
Annanur RS,
Avadi RS,
Hindu College RS,
Pattabiram RS,
Thiruninravur RS,
Veppampattu RS,
Sevappet Road RS,
Putlur RS,
Thiruvallur RS,
Egattur RS,
Kadambattur RS,
Sengipanambakkam RS,
Manavur RS,
Thiruvalangadu RS,
Mosur RS,
Puliyamangalam RS,
Arakkonam RS

In this route the "MT Series" of trains go upto Thiruvallur, while "MA Series" trains go up to Arakkonam.

MRTS - Chennai Beach <--> Velachery

The introduction of MRTS services enabled an alternate commuting options for the South-East Chennai localities. The stations enroute MRTS are...

Chennai Beach RS,
Chennai Fort RS,
Park Town RS,
Chintadripet RS,
Chepauk RS,
Thiruvallikeni RS, (Marina Beach)
Light House RS, (Marina Beach)
Thirumayilai RS, (Cultural Center)
Mandaiveli RS,
Greenways Road RS,
Kotturpuram RS,
Kasthurba Nagar RS,
Indira Nagar RS,
Thiruvanmiyur RS,
Taramani RS, (Software Parks)
Perungudi RS, (Software Parks)
Velacherry RS (Software Parks)

The advent of MRTS has helped reduce the rush on the 21L series MTC bus route (Velachery to Parrys-Broadway), while also connecting Mylapore, Mandaiveli and Kotturpuram to the IT corridor.