On the first line in the south
When the Madras Railway opened South India's first passenger line in 1856, from Madras (Royapuram) westwards towards Arcot, Arakkonam was on it. That makes Arakkonam Junction (code AJJ) one of the oldest railway stations in India, and it remains one of the most important junctions in Tamil Nadu.
Where the west lines divide
Arakkonam, 68 km from Chennai Central and 62 km from Katpadi, is where the trunk routes leaving Chennai to the west separate:
| Route | Heads to |
|---|---|
| Mumbai–Chennai line | North-west via Renigunta, Guntakal and Solapur |
| Chennai Central–Bangalore City line | West via Katpadi and Jolarpettai |
| West suburban line | Back to Chennai Central's Moore Market terminal |
Between Chennai Central and Arakkonam the line is quadruple-tracked and fully electrified, separating suburban and long-distance trains on one of the busiest corridors in South India. Electrification came in 1982–83.
Chennai's suburban edge
For daily commuters, Arakkonam is the far end of the West Line of the Chennai Suburban Railway. In 2011–15 the station averaged about 71,865 passengers a day, fourth in its division.
Engines and the navy
An electric loco shed at Arakkonam maintains a large fleet, 184 locomotives as of November 2020. The town is also home to the Indian Navy's INS Rajali air station, so naval personnel are a familiar sight on its platforms.
Station facts
AJJ has 8 side platforms on 12 tracks, about 85 metres above sea level. It is graded NSG-2, belongs to Southern Railway's Chennai division, and is among 73 Tamil Nadu stations selected for upgrading under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Travelling via Arakkonam
Many Mumbai- and Bengaluru-bound trains stop here, which can save commuters from the western suburbs a trip into central Chennai. Kanchipuram, the temple and silk city, is reached on a branch line south from Arakkonam. Find services on Railopedia's schedule page.