Ambattur railway station

Ambattur railway station is one of the main railway stations of the Chennai Central–Arakkonam section of the Chennai Suburban Railway Network. It serves the neighbourhood of Ambattur, a suburb of Chennai located 17 km north-west of the city centre. It is situated at Varadarajapuram in Ambattur, with an elevation of 19.18 metres above sea level.

History
The first lines in the station were electrified on 29 November 1979, with the electrification of the Chennai Central–Tiruvallur section. Additional lines at the station were electrified on 2 October 1986, with the electrification of the Villivakkam–Tiruninravur section.

On 21 January 1946 at 4.15 p.m., Mahatma Gandhi visited the station, who was received by Kamaraj.

Layout
The station has Eight tracks, including four loop lines, and has three platforms. The first platform is a side platform and houses the station's entrance and the ticket counter. The second and third platforms lie on an island platform. The platforms are connected by means of a footbridge. A second footbridge built at the level crossing connects the northern and southern sides of the neighbourhood. In 2001, Southern Railways renovated the footbridge at the level crossing at a cost of ₹ 400,000.

A railway concrete sleeper manufacturing company was located at the northwestern side of the station until 2015, which is served by loop lines radiating from the station.

As of 2013, the station handles about 50,000 passengers a day. This includes commuters from areas around Ambattur such as Padi, Mannurpet, Karukku, Kallikuppam, Menambedu and Pattaravakkam. Every day, suburban trains make around 260 trips through the station.

Projects and development
According to a railway release in 2008, there were plans to develop the station as a coaching terminal (satellite terminal) for Chennai Central railway station, on the lines of Tambaram station being developed as a terminal for Egmore railway station. In June 2014, the station was renovated in a major way after decades of neglect. In 2019, work on the extension of platforms to accommodate 24-rake long-distance trains began. Due to space constraints in Ambattur Railway station, Southern railway in 2024, decided that Villivakkam would cater as a satellite terminal station in addition to Egmore and Tambaram stations, dropping Ambattur and Avadi from their plans.

In 2019, a new footbridge connecting Platforms 1 and 2 only, was constructed, replacing the existing one.

In October 2023, the footbridge connecting South Park street and Bazaar street at level crossing, which laid unused was removed. To eliminate accidents due to level-crossing of tracks and to increase sectional-speed of express trains, a 2-wheeler cum pedestrian underground subway planned by Southern Railway for ₹9.5 crore is under construction, which is planned to be opened by March 2024, but getting delayed due to city corporation's neglect in building entry-exit ramp to subway.

Development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
In November 2023, the Ministry of Railways under the Second Modi ministry laid out plans for upgrading the Ambattur station to international standards at a cost of ₹ 21.67 crore. Amrit Bharat Station Scheme has been developed under which basic facilities are being provided to passengers at major railway stations.

Ambattur railway station, which is one of the major and busiest railway station in North Chennai region, is going to get a makeover under the new railway project. A railway station with a new facade is to be constructed. A new 12 metre wide footbridge is also planned to be constructed.

With this, the face of Ambattur railway station is going to change completely. The old building will be renovated and various facilities will be provided. This work is scheduled to be completed by March 2024.

Connectivity
Ambattur Railway station boasts of good connectivity to nearby suburban areas of Ambattur such as Venkatapuram, Menambedu, Pudur and SIDCO industrial areas. The nearest bus stops are Ambattur OT and Canara Bank, which is situated 800 metres and 500 metres respectively, from the station. Mini buses, autos and feeder services ply along the station to nearby suburbs.

The station also has a good access to market areas of robust businesses as well as to Ambattur Industrial Estate and its Ambit IT Park.

A metro rail connectivity to Avadi by Red line corridor of Chennai Metro, passing through this railway station is currently in DPR-planning stages.