In anticipation of the heavy passenger traffic during the Pongal festival, Southern Railway has announced the operation of several additional special train services. These trains will connect major destinations like Tirunelveli, Tambaram, Chengalpet, Chennai Central, and Podanur on specific dates throughout January.
Detailed Schedule of Superfast Special Trains
The railway administration has released a comprehensive schedule to facilitate smooth travel. Two pairs of Tirunelveli-Tambaram Superfast Special trains will operate. These trains, numbered 06058/06057, will run on January 13 and January 20. On these days, the service will depart from Tirunelveli at 3:45 AM and is scheduled to arrive at Tambaram by 2:00 PM. For the return journey, the trains will leave Tambaram at 3:00 PM, reaching Tirunelveli at 2:00 AM the following day.
Furthermore, a pair of Tirunelveli-Chengalpet Superfast Specials (06154/06153) has been scheduled for January 14. This train will start from Tirunelveli at 3:45 AM and conclude its journey at Chengalpet by 1:15 PM. The return service from Chengalpet will commence at 3:30 PM, with an arrival time of 2:00 AM at Tirunelveli.
Express Specials and Additional Services
To further decongest the routes, Southern Railway will also operate Tirunelveli-Tambaram Express Specials (06166/06165) on January 12 and 19. The timetable for these services is slightly different. They will depart Tirunelveli at 12:30 AM (midnight) and reach Tambaram at 1:30 PM. Passengers on the return leg can board at Tambaram at 4:40 PM, arriving in Tirunelveli at 8:00 AM the next morning.
In a separate announcement catering to early festival demand, the railway will run a Podanur-Dr MGR Chennai Central Express Special (06194/06193). This service is slated for January 8 and 9, providing a direct link for travelers heading to the state capital.
Easing the Festive Rush
The introduction of these special trains is a direct response to the annual surge in travel demand during the harvest festival of Pongal. By adding these extra services on key routes, Southern Railway aims to provide relief to thousands of passengers, ensuring safer and more comfortable travel. Commuters are advised to check the official Southern Railway website or confirm timings at their local station before planning their journey to account for any last-minute updates.
