Rail commuters from Karaikudi have requested the Southern Railway to operate one more night train up to Chennai Egmore for the benefit of the passengers intending to catch connecting trains to destinations in Andhra Pradesh and beyond from Puratchi Thalaivar Dr.M.G.Ramachandran Chennai Central Railway Station in Chennai.

At present, only one service (train number 22662) Sethu Superfast Express which leaves Karaikudi by 11.55 p.m. reaches Chennai Egmore by 7-20 a.m. next day.

While one among the two other daily night services, the grand old Boat Mail express – (train number 16752) Rameswaram-Chennai Egmore gets terminated at Tambaram in view of the ongoing ‘infrastructure development works’ at Chennai Egmore Railway Station, other one is being operated between Tambaram and Rameswaram (train number 16104) since it was flagged off by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2025.

Thus, in a memorandum addressed to the General Manager, Southern Railway, the Pattukottai Tahluk Railway Passengers’ Welfare Association has pointed out that termination of all trains night trains, except train number 22662, at Tambaram causes difficulties, particularly senior citizen passengers, heading to destinations in North Chennai or places in and around Chennai Egmore or to catch connecting trains at Puratchi Thalaivar Dr.M.G.Ramachandran Chennai Central Railway Station.

While pleading for extension of one night train service to Chennai Egmore, the Association called upon the Southern Railway to operate a ‘Daytime Intercity Express’ between Karaikudi and Chennai Egmore via. Pattukottai, Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai, as it would be beneficial to senior citizen, ladies and differently abled persons, in particular.

Conversion of the tri-weekly Tambaram-Sengottah-Tambaram as a daily service, restoration of ‘Kamban Express’ to its original route ie. Karaikudi and Chennai Egmore and a new service connecting Madurai either with Mayiladuthurai or Vailankanni through the newly laid Tiruvarur-Karaikudi BG section, were other demands put forth by the Association in its memorandum.

Published - July 08, 2026 07:33 pm IST