Railway Ministry approves Mangaluru–Tirunelveli weekly train via Madurai

Railway Ministry approves Mangaluru–Tirunelveli weekly train service via Madurai, enhancing connectivity in South Tamil Nadu and North Kerala.

While the much-awaited weekly train service between Mangaluru and Rameswaram via Madurai is yet to start, the Ministry of Railways has approved the introduction of the Mangaluru–Tirunelveli weekly train via Madurai.

According to the approval, train no. 16708 Tirunelveli–Mangaluru Junction Express will depart at 3.45 p.m. on Wednesday to reach Mangaluru Junction at 6.55 a.m. on Thursday. During its journey, the train will arrive at Madurai at 5.55 p.m. and depart for Mangaluru at 6 p.m.

Train no. 16707 Mangaluru Junction–Tirunelveli Express will depart at 1 p.m. on Thursday and reach Tirunelveli at 7.45 a.m. on Friday. The train will arrive at Madurai at 4.30 p.m. and depart for Tirunelveli at 4.35 p.m., railway sources told The Hindu.

Among the 20 stations, including Madurai en route, the train will stop at Dindigul, Palani, Pollachi, Palakkad, Shoranur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod.

Though the weekly 16621/16622 Mangaluru Central–Rameswaram Express was expected to commence its operation on March 1, it was delayed.

Now both the services (Rameswaram and Tirunelveli trains) are expected to be launched on March 11, sources said.