Uravu at 14:40, 26 April 2026

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{{Short description|Railway line in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width =
| name = Mumbai–Chennai line
| color =
| logo =
| logo_width =
| image = Pune Junction stationboard.jpg
| image_width = 330
| caption = [[Pune Junction railway station]] is an important Railway station on Mumbai–Chennai line
| type =
| system =
| status = Operational
| locale = {{hlist |[[Maharashtra]] |[[Karnataka]] |[[Telangana]] |[[Andhra Pradesh]] |[[Tamil Nadu]] }}
| start = [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus|Mumbai CSMT]]
| end = [[Chennai Central railway station|Chennai Central]]
| stations =
| routes =
| daily_ridership =
| open = 1871
| close =
| owner = [[Indian Railways]]
| operator = {{ubl |[[Central Railway zone|Central Railway]] |[[South Central Railway zone|South Central Railway]] |[[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railway]]}}
| character =
| depot =
| stock =
| linelength = {{cvt|1281|km}}
| tracklength =
| tracks = 2/1
| gauge = {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} [[broad gauge]]
| old_gauge =
| minradius =
| racksystem =
| electrification = [[25 kV AC railway electrification|25 kV 50 Hz AC]] [[overhead line]]
| speed = {{cvt|130|kph}}
| elevation = [[Lonavala railway station|Lonavala]] {{cvt|622|m}}
| website =
| map = [[File:Mumbai-Chennai Express Trains Route map.jpg|thumb|center|Mumbai–Chennai route map]]
{{Mumbai–Chennai line}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}
The '''Mumbai–Chennai line''', earlier known as '''Bombay–Madras line''', is an Indian railway line connecting [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus|Mumbai CSMT]] and [[Chennai Central]]. It is one of the seven major trunk routes of the [[Indian Railways]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=124694|title=Decongestion of Trunk railway routes|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=10 August 2015|archive-date=29 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529114915/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=124694|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://indiainfrahub.com/news/trains-to-run-at-160-kmph-on-major-trunk-routes/ |title=Trains to run at 160 Kmph on major Trunk routes |work=India InfraHub |date=20 July 2020 |access-date=16 February 2024 |archive-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216151856/https://indiainfrahub.com/news/trains-to-run-at-160-kmph-on-major-trunk-routes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It traverses about {{cvt|1281|km}} along the [[Indian peninsula]] across the states of [[Maharashtra]], [[Karnataka]], [[Telangana]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], and [[Tamil Nadu]]. The line forms part of the planned [[Diamond Quadrilateral]] rail network.

==Sections==
The {{cvt|1281|km}}-long trunk line is divided into the following sections:
#[[Central line (Mumbai Suburban Railway)]]
#[[Dadar–Solapur section]]
#[[Solapur–Guntakal section]]
#[[Guntakal–Renigunta section]]
#[[Gudur–Chennai section|Renigunta–Chennai section]]

==History==
The first passenger train in India from [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus]] in Mumbai to [[Thane railway station|Thane]] ran on 16 April 1853 on the track laid by the [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway]]. The GIPR line was extended to [[Kalyan Junction railway station|Kalyan]] in 1854 and then on the south-east side to [[Khopoli railway station|Khopoli]] via [[Palasdhari railway station|Palasdhari]] at the foot of the [[Western Ghats]] in 1856. While construction work was in progress across the [[Bhor Ghat]], GIPR opened to public the [[Khandala railway station|Khandala]]–[[Pune Junction railway station|Pune]] track in 1858.

The Bhor Ghat incline connecting Palasdari to Khandala was completed in 1862, thereby connecting Mumbai and Pune.<ref name="IR History: Early Days – I">{{cite web | url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-hist.html| title = IR History: Early Days – I : Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1832–1865)| publisher= IRFCA| access-date= 20 March 2014}}</ref> The Western Ghats presented a big obstacle to the railway engineers in the 1860s. The summit of the [[Bhor Ghat]] (earlier spelt as Bhore Ghat) incline being 2,027 feet. The maximum gradient was: 1 in 37 with extreme curvature. "The works on the Bhore ghat comprised 25 tunnels of a total length of nearly 4,000 yards, two of the longest being 435 yards and 341 yards respectively. The Bhore ghat have eight lofty viaducts having a total length of 2,961 feet. Two of the largest are more than 500 feet long with a maximum height of 1160 and 163 feet. There are 22 bridges of spans from 7 to 30 feet and 81 culverts of various sizes."<ref>{{cite web| url =http://www.irfca.org/articles/eminent-railwaymen.html|title = Eminent Railwaymen of Yesteryears by R.R.Bhandari|work= James J. Berkley / Bhore Ghat | publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 3 December 2013 }}</ref> The construction of the Bhor Ghat incline came at a high price: an estimated 24,000 builders died during the eight years of construction.<ref name="livehistoryindia">{{cite web | url = https://www.livehistoryindia.com/snapshort-histories/2019/05/09/bhor-ghat-incline-triumph-tragedy|title= Bhor Ghat Incline: Triumph & Tragedy |author= Aditi Shah |date=9 May 2019 |access-date= 30 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="bangaloremirror">{{cite web | url = https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/24000-dead-workers-ghats-have-a-hell-station-and-a-story-to-tell/articleshow/57621653.cms |title= 24,000 dead workers: Ghats have a hell station, and a story to tell |author= Kamal Mishra |date=14 March 2017 |access-date= 30 October 2020}}</ref>

The Pune–Raichur sector of the Mumbai–Chennai line was opened in stages: the portion from Pune to Barshi Road was opened in 1859, from Barshi Road to Mohol in 1860 and from Mohol to Solapur also in 1860. Work on the line from Solapur southwards was begun in 1865 and the line was extended to Raichur in 1871. Thus the line met the line of [[Madras Railway]] thereby establishing direct Mumbai–Chennai link.<ref name="IR History: Early Days – II">{{cite web | url=http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-history2.html | title = IR History: Early Days – II | last = Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1870–1899)| publisher= IRFCA| access-date= 3 December 2013}}</ref>

The first passenger train in southern India and the third in India was operated by [[Madras Railway]] from [[Royapuram railway station|Royapuram]] to Wallajah Road (Arcot) in 1856. MR extended its trunk route to Beypur / Kadalundi (near Calicut) and initiated work on a north-western branch out of [[Arakkonam Junction railway station|Arakkonam]] in 1861. The branch line reached Renigunta in 1862,<ref name="IR History: Early Days – I"/> and to [[Raichur railway station|Raichur]] in 1871, where it connected to the [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway]] line from Mumbai.<ref name="IR History: Early Days – II"/>

==Electrification==

Railway electrification in India began with the first electric train, between [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus|Bombay Victoria Terminus]] and [[Kurla]] by the [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway]]'s (GIPR) on 3 February 1925, on 1.5 kV DC. The Kalyan–Pune section was electrified with 1.5 kV DC overhead system in 1930.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-elec.html|title= Electric Traction I |work= History of Electrification| publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 20 March 2014}}</ref>

The previously used 1.5 kV DC was converted to 25 kV AC on 5 May 2013 from Kalyan to Khopoli and Kalyan to Kasara.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140116220742/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-30/mumbai/38929007_1_signalling-system-long-distance-trains-lokmanya-tilak-terminus "From May 5, faster Central Railway with AC power" - ''Times Of India'']. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (30 April 2013). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.</ref> Conversion from 1.5 kV DC to 25 kV AC on the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Thane-Kalyan section was completed on 12 January 2014.<ref name="indiatimes1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20140115031241/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2014-01-13/mumbai/46148994_1_long-distance-trains-new-trains-faster-trains "Soon, faster trains on Kalyan-LTT route" - ''The Times of India'']. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (13 January 2014). Retrieved on 2014-06-11.</ref> The CSMT to LTT section was converted from 1.5 kV DC to 25 kV AC on 8 June 2015.<ref name="indiatimes2">[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Central-Railway-plans-DC/AC-switch-in-May/articleshow/32622006.cms "Central Railway plans DC/AC switch in May" - ''The Times of India'']. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (25 March 2014). Retrieved on 2014-06-11.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=DC to AC conversion on Mumbai's Central Railways rail route completed|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/dc-to-ac-conversion-on-mumbais-central-railways-rail-route-completed/articleshow/47582271.cms|access-date=2 January 2016|work=The Economic Times|publisher=PTI|date=8 June 2015|location=Mumbai}}</ref> The Kasara-Pune section was also converted from 1.5 kV DC to 25 kV AC.

The Pune–Daund section as well as Daund -Bhigwan section was electrified in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/pune-daund-local-brings-respite-for-daily-commuters/articleshow/56631901.cms|title=Pune-Daund local brings respite for daily commuters|website=Pune Mirror|date=18 January 2017 }}</ref> The electrification of the Bhigwan - Kalaburgi section was completed by March 2022.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.railpost.in/march-2021-when-the-mumbai-chennai-railway-route-will-be-fully-doubled-electrified/|title=March 2021: When the Mumbai-Chennai Railway Route Will Be Fully Doubled, Electrified|date=1 September 2020}}</ref> The Kalaburgi -Wadi section was electrified in 2018.<ref name="auto"/>

The Renigunta–Nandalur sector electrification was completed in 2006.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.processregister.com/Renigunta_-_Guntakal_Rly_Electrification/Project/pid14748.htm |title = Reenigunta-Guntakal Railway Electrification Project | publisher= Progress Register| access-date = 20 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=22318 |title = Rail Projects in Andhra Pradesh | publisher= Press Information Bureau, 21 November 2006 | access-date = 20 March 2014}}</ref> The Nandalur–Guntakal sector was electrified by Dec 2013.<ref name=electrificationprogress>{{cite web| url = http://www.core.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,294,302,532 |title = Brief on Railway Electrification |work=Electrification Work in Progress | publisher= Central Organisation for Railway Electrification | access-date = 20 March 2014}}</ref> The electrification of the Guntakal-Wadi section was completed in 2015.<ref name="auto"/>

The Chennai Central–Tiruvallur sector, as well as the Basin Bridge–Chennai Beach sector were electrified in 1979–80. The Tiruvallur –Arakkonam sector was electrified in 1982–83, Arakkonam–Tiruttani sector in 1983–84 and the Tiruttani–Renigunta sector in 1984–85.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://irfca.org/docs/electrification-history.html|title = History of Electrification| publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 20 March 2014}}</ref>

Hence, the entire Mumbai-Chennai route is completely electrified.

==Speed limit==
The stretch between [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus]] and [[Kalyan Junction railway station|Kalyan]] is classified as 'Group A' line, where trains run with speed up to 110 km/h due to train density and curve limitations . The Kalyan–Pune–Daund–Wadi line and the Wadi–Raichur–Adoni–Arrakonam–Chennai Central line are classified as 'Group B' lines and can take speeds up to 130 km/h.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/codesmanual/IRPWM/PermanentWayManualCh2_data.htm |title = Chapter II – The Maintenance of Permanent Way| access-date = 20 March 2014}}</ref>

==Passenger movement==
[[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus|Mumbai CSMT]], [[Pune railway station|Pune]], [[Solapur railway station|Solapur]] and [[Chennai Central]] on the line, are amongst the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianrail.gov.in/7days_Avl.html |title=Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry |work=Availability in trains for Top 100 Booking Stations of Indian Railways |publisher=IRFCA |access-date=20 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510115649/http://www.indianrail.gov.in/7days_Avl.html |archive-date=10 May 2014 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://indiarailinfo.com/departures/mumbai-cst-cstm/1620 Trains at Mumbai CST]
*[http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/pune-junction-pune/76 Trains at Pune]
*[http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/daund-junction-dd/148 Trains at Daund]
*[http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/solapur-sur/147 Trains at Solapur]
*[http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/wadi-junction-wadi/145 Trains at Wadi]
*[http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/raichur-junction-rc/144 Trains at Raichur]
*[http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/adoni-ad/142 Trains at Adoni]
*[http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/guntakal-junction-gtl/141 Trains at Guntakal]
*[http://indiarailinfo.com/departures/chennai-central-mas/35 Trains at Chennai Central]

{{Indian Railways}}
{{Central Railway}}
{{Railways in Western India}}
{{Railways in Southern India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mumbai-Chennai line}}
[[Category:Main railway lines of India]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1871]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:1871 establishments in India]]

Mumbai–Chennai line - Revision history

Uravu at 14:40, 26 April 2026