CHENNAI: Travel time between Chennai and Nagaikoil and Madurai and Bengaluru will be shortened by at least two hours from September 2 van der barat Express services on these routes commenced operation. Passengers are happy but want more overnight trains to and from the southern region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday virtually flagged off the Chennai-Nagar Koil Vande Bharat Express and the Madurai-Bengaluru Cantonment Vande Bharat Express. Held at Dr. Chennai Center during the reconstruction work of Gehmore Station in the presence of Governor RN Ravi. There are currently 8 Vande Bharat trains operating in TN. From September 2, the Chennai Igmore-Nagarkoil Vande Bharat Express (20627) will depart from Chennai Igmore at 5 am every day (except Wednesdays) and depart at 1 pm Arrive at Nagarcoil at 50 hrs. The Nagerkoil-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express (20628) in the opposite direction will depart from Nagerkoil at 2.20 pm every day (except Wednesdays) and reach Egmore at 11 pm. The ticket price for chair car is RMB 1,760, and the ticket price for executive chair car is RMB 3,240 (including meals).
Madurai-Bangalore Cantonment Vande Bharat Express (20671) leaves Madurai at 5.15 am every day (except Tuesdays) and reaches Bengaluru Cantonment at 1 pm. In the return direction, train no. 20672 will leave Bangalore Cantonment at 1:30 pm and reach Madurai at 9.45 pm. The seat ticket price is 1,575 yuan, and the executive chair ticket price is 2,865 yuan (including food and beverage charges).
In Madurai, Minister of State V Somanna said, “In TN, only 500 km of railway lines were electrified till 2014. This number increased to 2,150 km between 2014 and 2024. Regular travelers and IT majors People will greatly benefit from the Vande Bharat train between Madurai and Madurai.
In Chennai, first-day pass holders boarded the train for Nagai Koil. About 150 primary school students also enjoyed the ride. “As of now, it took 11.5 hours to reach Nagai Koil. With the new train, it will only take about 8.5 hours,” said R Pandiaraja, former member of the Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC).
There are a few trains from Chennai to the southern region, but not many options in the morning. “This will help, but the Railways should increase the number of night trains and Antiodaya Express services,” Pandyaraja added.
Madurai District Railway Manager Sharad Srivastava said that the Madurai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat train, which covers 586 kilometers in eight hours, is one of the fastest railways in the region and is expected to receive huge passenger support. Expressing gratitude to Somanna, Madurai MP Suvenkatesan said day trains were a long-term need and stressed the need for another terminus and a bypass railway line for freight trains at Kudar Nagar to ease Congestion.
(Opinions from Madurai)
