Rail users seek early introduction of passenger train on Karaikal-Peralam line

The Hindu

12-06-2025

After the introduction of freight train services on the new Karaikal-Peralam broad gauge section, the rail users of the region now eagerly await the introduction of passenger trains.
If the demand is met, it will mark resumption of passenger train services on the line after a gap of 40 years. The 23.5-km electrified stretch under the limits of the Tiruchi Railway Division was cleared for operation of passenger trains by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Circle, Bengaluru, late last month.
Even as an official announcement is yet to come from the Southern Railway, rail users have come up with suggestions seeking extension of a couple of trains up to Karaikal and operating them on this section to different destinations.
The Southern Railway could explore extension of the Tirupati-Villupuram Intercity unreserved express train up to Karaikal via Mayiladuthurai, Peralam, and Thirunallar. This would benefit travellers of Karaikal region which would get connectivity up to Tirupati, said V.R. Dhanaseelane, a member of the Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee based in Karaikal.
Such a move would also benefit devotees travelling to the famous Sani Bhagwan temple at Thirunallar. Mr. Dhanaseelane, who pointed out that the train already passed through Tiruvannamalai, said the extension of the Tirupati-Villupuram Intercity Express would thus link three most popular religious towns.
The railway administration could extend the Mayiladuthurai-Salem daily MEMU service up to Karaikal via Thirunallar. The train starts at Mayiladuthurai at 6 a.m. By extending it up to Karaikal, the train could be operated at 5.15 am from Karaikal to reach Mayiladuthurai. The extension would provide rail users of Karaikal region a connectivity up to Salem. It will benefit those proceeding to Kumbakonam, Tiruchi, and Karur from Karaikal and Thirunallar, Mr. Dhanaseelane said.
M. Rajadurai, a consumer activist and a resident of T.R. Pattinam near Karaikal, said the rail users of the region were eagerly awaiting the resumption of train services on the Karaikal-Peralam section at the earliest. He said the railways should run from Karaikal a day train to Villupuram via Peralam and a day train to Chennai.