Tirunelveli MP seeks introduction of additional overnight train to Chennai
C. Robert Bruce, MP, has appealed to the Southern Railway General Manager R.N. Singh to introduce a shadow Nellai Express train to connect Tirunelveli with Chennai as the existing service, which is serving the people for more than 50 years, has a heavy rush every day.
Moreover, the MP has also reminded the General Manager of the earlier promise of extending the Bengaluru – Madurai Vande Bharat Express to Tirunelveli.
In a petition submitted to Mr. Singh at the MPs meeting in Madurai on Thursday, Mr. Bruce said that due to unavailability of accommodation in Nellai Express, people are forced to travel in omni buses which collect a hefty fare. Hence, a second overnight train should be operated on the Tirunelveli -Chennai route.
Moreover, the tri-weekly Shencottai – Tambaram and Nagercoil – Tambaram tri-weekly express trains should be operated every day as the existing train services operated from Nagercoil and Shencottai to Chennai are generating a huge revenue to Indian Railways with good occupancy.
During his visit to Tirunelveli on September 20 last, the General Manager had promised to extend the Madurai – Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express to Tirunelveli, which is yet to be fulfilled. Besides the extension, this train should skip Tiruchi so as to enable the passengers to reach Bengaluru three hours in advance.
Since the Tambaram – Tiruchi – Madurai – Tirunelveli – Nagercoil section has become fully electrified double line, the Tiruchi – Thiruvananthapuram Intercity Express may be extended to Tambaram with minor adjustments in timings and increased speed.
The Ernakulam – Okha bi-weekly train should be extended to Tirunelveli or Thoothukudi via Shencottai for serving the passengers of Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts.
In the wake of consecration of Tiruchendur Lord Subramaniya Swami Temple to be held in July 2025, the Southern Railway should create more amenities in Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur railway stations besides operating additional trains of Kollam – Tiruchendur via Punalur, Shencottai and Tirunelveli; Thiruvananthapuram North to Tiruchendur via Nagercoil and Tirunelveli; Palani to Tiruchendur via Tirupparankundram; and Tiruttani to Tiruchendur via Villupuram, Swamimalai and Tirupparankundram. Weekly circular trains may be operated to connect all six abodes of Lord Muruga for the benefit of devotees.
The Madurai – Punalur Express should be extended to Karaikal via Dindigul, Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam so that pilgrims from southern districts can easily reach Tirunallar Saneeswaran Temple, Velankanni Church and Nagore Dargah.
The Thiruvananthapuram – Tirunelveli Train via Nagercoil, which was discontinued in mid-1980s, should be revived with revised timings. The Kanniyakumari – Chennai Central Express, which was operated via Katpadi, Jolarpet and Salem prior to gauge conversion, is now being operated via Tiruchi and Vriddhachalam. Hence, this train should be revived and the railways must upgrade the weekly Chennai Central – Nagercoil Express as a tri-weekly service via Madurai, Dindigul, Namakkal, Karur and Salem without touching Tiruchi.
Since the air-conditioned buses being operated by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation between Nagercoil and Tirunelveli enjoy 100% occupancy round-the-clock, MEMU services should be operated between Thiruvananthapuram and Tirunelveli via Nagercoil, the petition read.
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