Chennai division uses 60 daily maintenance blocks to ensure rail safety

Chennai Division of Southern Railway is carrying out an average of 60 maintenance blocks every day to ensure the safe, reliable and efficient operation of train services across its extensive suburban and mainline network.
According to a Southern Railway release, millions of passengers depend on the Chennai Division daily for commuting and long-distance travel. Behind the seamless movement of trains is a large-scale round-the-clock maintenance operation involving thousands of railway personnel working across various departments.
The Division utilises up to 100 maintenance blocks a day, including Traffic, Power, Engineering and Signal & Telecommunication blocks, to facilitate inspections, maintenance, renewals and infrastructure development works. Depending on the nature of the work, these blocks range from 30 minutes to four hours.
Operating one of the country’s busiest railway networks, Chennai Division maintains tracks, signalling systems, overhead electrical equipment, stations, bridges and passenger amenities through coordinated efforts of the Engineering, Electrical, Operating, Signal & Telecommunication and Traction Distribution departments.
Track maintainers, engineers, signal staff, technicians, welders and machine operators work in shifts throughout the day and night carrying out track inspections, rail renewals, signalling checks and infrastructure improvements. Advanced machines such as Ballast Cleaning Machines, Unimat Tamping Machines and Track Relaying Trains are extensively used to improve efficiency and track reliability.
Southern Railway said every maintenance block and infrastructure upgrade plays a crucial role in ensuring safe, reliable and punctual train services for millions of passengers travelling across the Chennai Division network.