Southern Railways plans to electrify 1,400 route km of lines in three years as per a deadline set by the Union ministry.
This will ensure smoother running of trains across all routes without changing locomotives from electric to diesel. Of the total 4,834 route km, 3381 km has already been electrified. Three electrification projects of Southern Railway have recieved funds for the current financial year. The Tambaram-Chengalpet third line, which is nearing completion has received Rs 1 million and will be electrified along with the construction work. The Villupuram-Dindigul doubling project with electrification has received a funding of Rs 100,000 and Omalur-Mettur dam with electrification work has received Rs 560 million.