Southern Railway Expands Summer Train Services to Accommodate Heavy Passenger Traffic
In response to the anticipated heavy summer rush, Southern Railway has announced significant extensions and enhancements to its train services in the region. The railway authority has officially extended the existing Mettupalayam–Tirunelveli special train service, which will now operate from April 5 to June 7, providing additional connectivity during the peak travel season.
Proposed Increase in Mettupalayam-Tuticorin Train Frequency
Furthermore, Southern Railway has submitted a proposal to the Railway Board on March 30 to increase the frequency of the existing bi-weekly Mettupalayam-Tuticorin train service. The proposal aims to add three more days of operation each week, effectively transforming it into a more frequent service to better serve passenger demand.
Under the proposed schedule:
- The train will operate from Tuticorin Junction on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
- From Mettupalayam station, it will run on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
- Key stoppages include Virudhunagar Junction, Madurai Junction, Dindigul Junction, Podanur Junction, and Coimbatore Junction.
This initiative is projected to facilitate 27 trips in each direction between April 7 and June 4, significantly boosting travel options for commuters.
Detailed Timings and Existing Services
The tentative departure time for the Tuticorin-Mettupalayam train is set at 6:15 AM, with an arrival at Mettupalayam at 2:30 PM on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. In the return direction, the train will depart from Mettupalayam at 7:45 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, reaching Tuticorin at 3:30 AM the following day.
Currently, Southern Railway operates the Mettupalayam-Tuticorin Express (Train No: 16765) as a bi-weekly service, departing at 7:45 PM and arriving at 4:15 AM the next day on Sundays and Fridays. The Tuticorin-Mettupalayam Express (Train No: 16766) runs on Thursdays and Saturdays, starting at 11:40 PM and concluding at 7:40 AM the following day, with multiple stoppages including Coimbatore Junction and Madurai Junction.
Positive Reception from Community Leaders
J Sathish, Director of Kongu Global Forum, has warmly welcomed these proposals. He emphasized that the increased Mettupalayam-Tuticorin services and the extension of the Mettupalayam-Tirunelveli train will greatly benefit passengers in the southern districts. "These enhancements will provide a daytime route to Coimbatore and boost tourism to destinations like Ooty," he stated.
Sathish also urged Southern Railways to consider reinstating historic train services such as Coimbatore–Rameswaram and Coimbatore-Tiruchendur, which would aid pilgrims and encourage family travel to these spiritual spots, especially during holiday periods. Additionally, he expressed support for the proposed special trains between Podanur and Chennai Central scheduled from April 10 to June 7.
These strategic moves by Southern Railway are designed to alleviate congestion and improve travel convenience during the busy summer months, reflecting a proactive approach to public transportation needs.
