Sources said that currency notes valued at Rs 5.78 crore was stolen during the heist.
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The incident came to light after the express train from Salem arrived here this morning and some of the more than 200 boxes carrying the cash and transported through three cargo coaches of the train were found tampered with.
The train pulled out of Salem at 9pm, and was scheduled to reach Chennai at 4.40 am. The boxes were on the train but they were empty.
According to the police, approximately Rs 340 crore was being transported in 220 cartons kept in two compartments of the train. The train is now stationed at the Egmore railway station in Chennai, reported DNA.
Robbers made a hole using gas cutters had entered the coaches. The cash was being transported in 226 boxes which were to be handed over to the RBI.
Police suspect that a few lakhs could have been burgled.
RBI officials discovered the robbery after the carriage attached to the Salem Express reached Chennai’s Egmore railway station. The theft is likely to have taken place between Salem and Vridhachalam as the 138-km section was non-electrified. Forensic experts are conducting examinations in the train which has been moved to a special terminal at Chennai station.
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The train is now stationed in a yard near at Egmore railway station in Chennai, and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is investigating the case.
