Rail users seek diversion of express trains on the new Karaikal-Peralam BG section

With the 23.5-km Karaikal -Peralam new broadgauge electrified section cleared for operation of passenger services, the Nagore Nagapattinam Rail Users’ Association has requested the Southern Railway to operate the Karaikal-Tambaram-Karaikal express; Karaikal-Bengaluru-Karaikal and and Karaikal-Mumbai LTT-Karaikal express trains from Velankanni and run them via Nagapattinam, Nagore, Karaikal, Thirunallar and Peralam.

With the 23.5-km Karaikal -Peralam new broadgauge electrified section cleared for operation of passenger services, the Nagore Nagapattinam Rail Users’ Association has requested the Southern Railway to operate the Karaikal-Tambaram-Karaikal express; Karaikal-Bengaluru-Karaikal and and Karaikal-Mumbai LTT-Karaikal express trains from Velankanni and run them via Nagapattinam, Nagore, Karaikal, Thirunallar and Peralam.

The diversion of the three trains via Karaikal and Peralam by operating from Velankanni will connect Mayiladuthurai Junction directly and there would be no need for loco reversal either at Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur, association president S. Mohan said. The diversion of the three trains on the Karaikal-Peralam section would also reduce journey time. At present, the three trains are operated from Karaikal via Nagore, Nagapattinam. and Tiruvarur.

In a representation to Chief Passenger Transportation Manager, Southern Railway, the association secretary M.M.A.A. Sithiq said the diversion of the three trains would provide a shorter route and urged the railway administration to introduce a daily day time inter-city express between Velankanni and Tambaram via Nagapattinam, Nagore, Karaikal, and Thirunallar.

While thanking the railways for laying the broadgauge line with electrification from Karaikal to Peralam, the association expressed hope that the line would be opened for passenger services soon. Mr. Sithiq said Velankanni, Nagore and Thirunallar attract devotees in large numbers daily and have great potential for operation of train services.

Introduction of Velankanni-Salem Express in the afternoon, introduction of a daily morning express train from Puducherry to Velankanni; extension of the Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai-Villupuram train up to Velankanni were among the other demands of the association.