The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved ₹2,229 crore on August 19, 2026 for construction of third and fourth railway lines across the 90-km Gummidipundi–Gudur section linking Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The project is part of a wider ₹9,450 crore railway capacity package adding approximately 410 km to networks across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal, targeted for completion by 2030-31.

The existing two-track section currently operates at 131% line-capacity utilisation, making the expansion a major capacity intervention. The section forms part of the Howrah–Chennai and Delhi–Chennai High Density Networks and serves the Vizag–Chennai Industrial Corridor.

The 90-km project covers Tiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu and Tirupati district in Andhra Pradesh. Infrastructure includes 21 major bridges, 127 minor bridges, 34 road-overbridge/road-underbridge structures, and a 360-metre bridge across the Swarnamukhi River.

Railways estimates the additional tracks can accommodate 21.24 million tonnes of freight annually and generate ₹382.15 crore in annual logistics savings. The corridor serves Kamarajar Port at Ennore, Chennai-area logistics and Krishnapatnam Port.

The Chennai–Attipattu section is already four-lined. Third and fourth lines between Attipattu and Gummidipundi were sanctioned earlier. The latest decision is financial and project approval; construction, land acquisition and commissioning remain ahead.

Chennai division of Southern Railway announced introduction of four new suburban train services starting March 3, 2025.

Gummidipundi services:

• 9.10 am departure from Gummidipundi, arriving Chennai Central 10.45 am
• 10.35 pm departure from Chennai Central, arriving Gummidipundi 12.40 am

Avadi services:

• 5.25 am departure from Avadi, arriving Chennai Central
• 11.15 am departure from Chennai Central, arriving Avadi

Background: Seven months prior, railways cancelled 56 local trains connecting Chennai suburban areas. Four more services including Chennai-Avadi/Pattabiram and Chennai-Gummidipundi were discontinued from January 1. Gummidipundi has population of nearly 20 lakh. After 8.50 am train, previous gap to next service was over 70 minutes during rush hours. Billakuppam Village Welfare Association president reported more than 20 petitions submitted in 30 months requesting additional services. Railway official stated safety-related maintenance completion will determine restoration of more suburban services based on demand.

After the Mysuru-Darbhanga Express accident, track work on both main lines was completed. Suburban train services between Chennai Central and Gummidipoondi, which had been affected, resumed operating with one-hour frequency, returning to regular 20-minute intervals from Monday morning. Second down line deemed fit for traffic at 7:00 a.m. Sunday; overhead equipment and signaling works completed shortly after. Train No. 12482 Dr. MGR Chennai Central–Shalimar Coromandel Express passed through accident site at 9:08 a.m. First EMU service to Gummidipoondi operated at 8:40 a.m. Sunday. Damaged coaches to be transported to Tondiarpet and Basin Bridge Yards within a week for decommissioning. Two of three hospitalized passengers discharged; third with minor head injuries expected to be released soon.