Latest news with #NellaiExpress
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Southern Railway drops plan to cut sleeper coaches on Nellai, Podhigai Express after backlash in Tamil Nadu
CHENNAI: Following stiff opposition from passengers and several political parties, Southern Railway on Tuesday scrapped its proposal to reduce the number of sleeper coaches on the Chennai-Tirunelveli Nellai Express and the Chennai Egmore-Sengottai Podhigai Express. However, the revised coach compositions for other trains, including the Chennai-Coimbatore Cheran Express and Chennai-Mettupalayam Nilgiris Express, will proceed as planned. An order from the transportation branch of the Madurai railway division confirmed that the existing coach configurations for the Nellai and Podhigai Express trains — comprising 8 sleeper coaches, 5 AC three-tier coaches, 2 AC two-tier coaches, and 1 first-class AC coach — will remain unchanged. The earlier proposal had suggested reducing sleeper coaches from 8 to 7 and increasing the number of AC three-tier coaches from 5 to 6, which stands cancelled, revealed the order issued by the Senior Divisional Operational Manager of the Madurai division. On Tuesday, TNIE published a report highlighting how the proposed change would have reduced the availability of sleeper class berths while increasing the number of higher-fare AC berths. Earlier in the day PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss had strongly criticised the railways' decision to reduce the number of sleeper coaches.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
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.
New Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu MPs raise key rail concerns in meeting with Southern Railway GM
MADURAI: A total of 11 MPs representing constituencies in the southern and central districts as well as from Kerala deliberated on various matters like the safety commission report on the Pamban bridge and the status of the Madurai-Aruppukottai-Thoothukudi railway line with Southern Railway General Manager RN Singh during a meeting convened in Madurai on Thursday. Addressing media persons, MP SU Venkatesan said the railway has started transliterating Hindi words in Tamil and English instead of a translation, which is in violation of the Official Languages Act. He demanded action against the authorities behind the move. He said he also demanded a written explanation from the railways on the safety commission report that he said mentioned "less safety for the Pamban bridge and for Vande Bharat trains". He also questioned BJP leader K Annamalai's presence in an official meeting by the railway minister ahead of the inauguration of the Pamban bridge. Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore wanted the railway to clarify on the status of the Madurai-Aruppukottai-Thoothukudi railway line, which he said is important for the development of the locality. The MEMU service between Madurai-Theni, Madurai-Virudhunagar, Madurai- Dindigul and a few more areas are also need of the hour, he added. MP Vaiko from the MDMK stressed for the reopening of the Karivalam Vantha Nallur station in Tirunelveli. He also stated that the MPs who took part in the meeting insisted stoppage at stations where the trains earlier stopped. They also demanded operation of new trains and in new routes. Citing the 'increasing' patronage in the Tirunelveli-Chennai route, Tirunelveli MP C Robert Bruce in the meeting with the Southern Railway GM demanded the introduction of a new daily train or one similar to the Nellai Express. He also sought extension of the Madurai - Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express up till Tirunelveli.
