New Tiruchendur-Chennai train under consideration: Union minister

Madurai: Railway Board is examining the feasibility of introducing a Vande Bharat Express service from Chennai to Tiruchendur, Union minister L Murugan said, adding that public demand for an additional train between Tiruchendur and Chennai was under the railway ministry's consideration.Murugan told reporters that officials had been instructed to conduct a detailed assessment of passenger requirements in Tiruchendur, where nearly 40,000 devotees visit every day, to ensure adequate infrastructure and facilities. Talking to reporters, he said the demand for another Chennai train would be taken up with railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He also said demand for a new train service connecting Tiruchendur and Coimbatore was also under consideration.If cleared, the Tiruchendur-Chennai Vande Bharat could be the fourth such service to benefit Madurai. At present, Madurai has a Vande Bharat service to Bengaluru, while two other services, Tirunelveli-Chennai and Nagercoil-Chennai, pass through the city.D Balakrishnan, a businessman who regularly travels to Chennai, said the demand for Chennai-bound trains remains high despite several express trains and Vande Bharat services.

“Almost all trains to Chennai run with 100% occupancy even on weekdays. A Tiruchendur-Chennai Vande Bharat will help devotees travelling to the temple town and also passengers from southern districts who depend on trains through Madurai,” he said.On station work, Murugan said Tiruchendur railway station was being redesigned to reflect the architectural and sculptural heritage of Tiruchendur Murugan Temple. “More than 75 railway stations across Tamil Nadu are being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with works at Tiruchendur being taken up at nearly Rs16 crore,” he said, adding that Rameswaram and Kanyakumari were already developed.