Stories
Chennai Central's Secret Hero: The Untold Story of Basin Bridge!
- •Basin Bridge junction plays a crucial role behind the grandeur of Chennai Central railway station.
- •Chennai's railway journey began in 1856, with Central established in 1873, marking a new phase.
- •Basin Bridge became vital as multiple routes converged there before reaching Central, including lines to Arakkonam and Kolkata.
- •Double tracks were laid in phases to accommodate increased traffic, extending to Arakkonam by 1877.
- •Bridge No.7 across the Buckingham Canal, initially built on a cast-iron screw-pile foundation, is a testament to early railway engineering.
Key Questions Answered
Basin Bridge serves as a crucial convergence point where major routes like the northwest line via Arakkonam and the northeast line towards Kolkata meet before reaching Chennai Central. Additionally, it functions as a primary maintenance hub featuring 19 Pit Lines and 9 Stabling Lines for terminating trains.
Madras Central was established in 1873 and later transformed into a major terminal in 1907. To handle increasing passenger and freight traffic without congestion, double tracks were laid in phases, extending to Vyasarpadi, Perambur, and reaching Arakkonam by 1877.
Bridge No. 7 was constructed across the Buckingham Canal to connect Chennai Central station with the railway yards located in the northern part of the city. Originally built on a cast-iron screw-pile foundation, it was later converted into an RCC Box Bridge to handle heavier train weights.
