Rail passengers are strongly in favour of regularising the operation of the Tiruchi – Tambaram – Tiruchi Jan Shatabdi express specials in view of the announcement by the Southern Railway made a couple of months ago that the train would run till June 29.

With the deadline fast approaching, travellers are uncertain about the continued operation of this train and sought the railway administration to issue necessary orders to make it a permanent service as it provides a day-time connectivity to Chennai.

Southern Railway had announced in late April that the Tiruchi – Tambaram – Tiruchi Jan Shatabdi express specials (06190/06191) will be operated five days a week via Villupuram – Thanjavur mainline section from April 29 to June 29 to clear the extra rush of passengers during summer season. 

The trains are being operated on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in both directions with two AC chair cars, 10 chair cars, six second class unreserved coaches and two second class brake cum luggage van (Divyangjan friendly). It departs Tiruchi Junction at 5.35 a.m. and reaches Tambaram at 12.30 p.m.

In the return direction, it leaves Tambaram at 3.45 p.m. and reaches Tiruchi Junction at 10.40 p.m. with halts at Thanjavur Junction, Papanasam, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai Junction, Sirkazhi, Chidambaram, Tiruppadirippuliyur, Panruti, Villupuram Junction, Tindivanam, Melmaruvathur and Chengalpattu. 

“The Tiruchi – Tambaram express special has been greatly benefiting passengers on the mainline section as it provides them a convenient day-time connectivity to Chennai”, said A. Giri, secretary, Thanjavur District Railway Users Association.  This train has been receiving good occupancy as it also serves those travellers who find it difficult to get confirmed accommodation in the Tiruchi – Chennai Cholan express which is also a day-time daily service, Mr. Giri said.

 The Rail Passengers Association, Mayiladuthurai, secretary Sami Ganesan said the Tiruchi – Tambaram day time special train has been running with very good patronage generating sizeable revenue to the Southern Railway.

“Travellers are uncertain about its continued operation since it gets only ad hoc extensions periodically. Operation of this train should be regularised at the earliest given the good occupancy and keeping in mind the benefit of a day-time connectivity to Chennai for the mainline section passengers”, said Mr. Giri.  He suggested that the until such time the train is regularised, it can be operated as a Train on Demand (TOD) special like the Ahmedabad – Tiruchi express like other normal trains providing seamless booking facility.

In a memorandum to Southern Railway General Manager Sami Ganesan requested him to regularise the services of the Tiruchi – Tambaram- Tiruchi express beyond June 29. The association appealed to the administration to issue early orders to make it a permanent service from June 30 and operated it on all the seven days to enable travellers plan their journey comfortably without any uncertainty.

The announcement for the continued operation should be communicated by the Southern Railway administration well in advance as this would enable passengers to plan their journey and book the tickets in advance, say the travellers.