Construction of 16 Subways in Chennai Division: Work in Full Swing at 3 Locations; Target Set for Completion by January 31

Construction of subways in place of railway level crossing gates has been intensified in the Chennai Railway Division to improve road and rail traffic movement and prevent accidents at level crossings.

During the 2025-26 financial year, 11 level crossing gates were removed, and Low Usage Subways (LUS) and underpasses were constructed at these locations and brought into use.

In the current 2026-27 financial year, five more level crossing gates have been removed up to September. With this, a total of 16 level crossing gates have been removed over the past two years, and six subways have been brought into use. Each subway has been constructed at an estimated cost of around ₹8 crore.

Subways have been constructed at several locations in the Arakkonam–Jolarpettai section, including Sevur–Katpadi, Latheri–Kavanur, Gudiyattam - Valathur, Mukundarayapuram–Walajah Road, Katpadi–Latheri, Kavanur railway station yard, Melpatti–Pachakuppam, Jolarpettai–Somanayakkanpatti and Chitheri–Mahendravadi.

In the Chennai Central–Gudur section, subways have been brought into use at Washermanpet–Korukkupet, Arambakkam–Tada and Elavur - Arambakkam. In the Chennai Egmore–Villupuram section, a subway has been brought into use in the Perani–Vikravandi area. Another subway has been made operational in the Kadambathur–Tiruvalangadu section of the Chennai Central–Arakkonam route.

Meanwhile, construction work is progressing rapidly at three more locations. These include the Thirumani–Latheri Road near the Latheri railway station yard, Adhigathur between Tiruvallur and Kadambathur railway stations, and Mosur Road between Tiruvalangadu and Arakkonam railway stations.

These three projects are being carried out at an estimated cost of ₹8 crore each, with a target to complete the works by January 31, 2027.

The construction of subways is expected to reduce traffic congestion and waiting time for motorists when railway gates remain closed. It will also help prevent incidents involving people crossing railway tracks unsafely and vehicles getting stuck on railway tracks at level crossings.

According to the Chennai Railway Division, removing level crossing gates will also enable trains to operate smoothly without speed restrictions, which could help improve adherence to train schedules.