Call to Reschedule Tiruchi Trains to Aid Vande Bharat Passengers
Tiruchi: A proposal has been made to Southern Railway to reschedule select train services departing from Tiruchi Junction to improve connectivity for passengers travelling on the Nagercoil–Chennai Vande Bharat Express and heading towards the delta region.
In a statement, social activist V. Jeevakumar of Budalur pointed out that the Tiruchi–Mannargudi passenger train (No. 76802) currently departs Tiruchi at 6.55 p.m., coinciding with the arrival time of the Nagercoil–Chennai Vande Bharat train at Tiruchi Junction. This overlap, he said, makes it difficult for passengers alighting from the Vande Bharat service to board the Mannargudi-bound train.
He suggested that rescheduling the departure of the Tiruchi–Mannargudi train to 7.15 p.m. would provide a convenient link for passengers travelling to destinations along the Tiruchi–Nagapattinam section, which serves several parts of the delta region.
Mr. Jeevakumar also recommended revisiting the departure timing of the Tiruchi–Mayiladuthurai train (No. 16734). He said advancing the service by more than an hour would benefit commuters travelling towards stations between Tiruchi and Thanjavur on the main line. He noted that Southern Railway currently operates a Tiruchi–Velankanni service (No. 76826) departing at 4.45 p.m., shortly after the Tiruchi–Mayiladuthurai train, suggesting scope for better time coordination.
Additionally, he urged Southern Railway to make optimal use of the electrified double-track section between Tiruchi and Thanjavur by introducing shuttle services or operating more DEMU services to destinations such as Mayiladuthurai and Tiruvarur during daytime hours.
Our Final Thoughts
Improving train schedules and last-mile connectivity around Tiruchi could significantly enhance the usefulness of premium services like Vande Bharat, especially for passengers travelling to the delta region.