Railway officials said that the new A/C suburban train services will be operated only on weekdays. File | Photo Credit: M.

SRINATH Commuters welcomed the introduction of air-conditioned suburban train services between Chennai Central and Arakkonam railway stations from October 23 (Friday) on a trial basis.Commuters said that many office-goers, including those who work in government departments and private companies in Chennai, board suburban trains at Arakkonam railway station. It helps them in commuting faster and on time.“The Arakkonam fast suburban train, on an average, takes around two hours to reach Arakkonam from Chennai Central railway station with limited stop,” said G.

Vignesh, a commuter.Commuters said that Arakkonam and surrounding areas witness extreme heat during summer. Such long travel in suburban trains has an impact on health, especially for women and senior citizens.

The new air-conditioned suburban train will help aged commuters to travel comfortably. Railway officials said, at present, on an average, around 45,000 commuters board trains at Arakkonam railway station every day.

The footfalls increase during holidays and festival seasons. Additional suburban train services will help to meet the rush of commuters.As per plan, a new air-conditioned suburban train, which will have 12 coaches, will be operated on platform 1 at Arakkonam railway station for suburban commuters to go to Chennai on Friday.

Railway officials said that the train will be operated only on weekdays. The first service will depart from Avadi at 6.30 a.m. and reach Arakkonam at 7.45 a.m.At Arakkonam, the train will leave at 8 a.m. and arrive at Chennai Central at 9.30 a.m.

The train will stop at Thiruvalangadu, Kadambattur, Tiruvallur, Thiruninravur, Villivakkam, Perambur, and Basin Bridge railway stations.Again, the train will depart from Chennai Central at 9.40 a.m. and reach Avadi at 10.25 a.m. The train will stop at all stations.

In the evening, the train will leave Arakkonam at 8.10 p.m. and reach Avadi at 9.10 p.m., where the train will be halted at the railway yard. Published - October 22, 2026 07:13 pm IST