Chennai, May 11:
To handle the surge in passenger traffic during the peak summer holiday season, the Southern Railway has announced special express train services connecting Chennai Egmore and Kanyakumari.
The Chennai Egmore – Kanyakumari Special Train (No. 06045) will be operated on four Fridays — May 15, 22, 29 and June 5. The train is scheduled to depart from Chennai Egmore at 11:50 PM, providing a convenient overnight journey for passengers heading towards the southern tip of the country. It will reach Tirunelveli Junction at 10:25 AM, Nagercoil at 11:40 AM, and finally arrive at Kanyakumari at 1:00 PM the next day.
In the return direction, the Kanyakumari – Chennai Egmore Special Train (No. 06046) will run on Sundays — May 17, 24, 31 and June 7. The train will depart from Kanyakumari at 11:25 PM, reaching Tirunelveli Junction at 12:55 AM, Tambaram at 10:15 AM, and terminating at Chennai Egmore at 11:30 AM.
Railway officials stated that a total of four services will be operated in each direction, aimed at easing the heavy rush typically witnessed during school vacations and holiday travel.
The special trains will feature a comprehensive range of coach classes to accommodate different categories of passengers. These include AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, sleeper class, and general compartments. Additionally, dedicated coaches will be provided for differently-abled passengers, ensuring improved accessibility and comfort.
Ticket bookings for these special services commenced at 8:00 AM on May 10, and passengers are advised to reserve their seats early in view of expected high demand.
With this initiative, Southern Railway aims to offer relief to passengers and ensure smoother travel experiences during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.