The Chennai-Arakkonam suburban train section will soon have its first air-conditioned coach services from this summer, as the Southern Railway conducted a test run of an AC train between the railway shed in Avadi and Arakkonam railway station.
It comes after the successful operation of the first air-conditioned suburban train services between Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu railway stations, which began its run in April 2025. “Originally, the air-conditioned train services on the section (Chennai-Arakkonam) were planned for January 2026, ahead of summer. Due to some delays, the services will commence soon,” a senior railway official told The Hindu.
Railway officials said that this was the first time such a test to run air-conditioned EMU services on the section had been conducted. The idea to start such a service on the route was based on several recommendations made by local commuters, including traders, office goers and senior citizens, especially after the commencement of similar train services on the Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu section. “The new air-conditioned suburban train services will have good patronage as a large number of commuters depend on rail connectivity to reach Chennai in a short time,” said S. Ethiraj, president, Arakkonam All Traders Association.
