Express Train Speeds Increased on Routes to Southern Districts
Southern Railway issued a press release announcing that its new timetable came into effect from January 1. Under the revised schedule, the timings of several Mail and Express trains were changed to improve operational efficiency and passenger convenience.
The new timetable incorporated multiple updates, including the introduction of new passenger trains, extension of existing services, additional stoppages, increased train speeds, and the addition of extra coaches. During the year, eight new trains were introduced, four trains were extended, and the timings of eight trains were revised. The train numbers of 44 Express and Passenger services were changed, while temporary stoppages were provided for 102 Express trains. The speeds of 22 Mail, Express, and Passenger trains were increased. In addition, 40 extra coaches were added to seven Vande Bharat trains, and 62 coaches were permanently added to 46 Express trains and 27 Passenger trains.
From January 1, the speeds of 65 Mail, Express, and Superfast trains were increased, along with 14 Passenger trains. As a result, travel time savings ranged from five minutes to as much as 85 minutes on several routes.
Accordingly, the Sengottai–Chennai Egmore Pothigai Express (12662) and the Chennai Egmore–Guruvayur Express (16127) began running 20 minutes earlier than their earlier schedules. The Kollam–Tambaram Express (16102) arrived 85 minutes earlier, while the Coimbatore–Rameswaram Express (16618) reached its destination 55 minutes earlier. The Nagercoil–Tambaram Express (20692) arrived 45 minutes earlier, the Thoothukudi–Chennai Egmore Muthunagar Express (12694) 30 minutes earlier, and the Chennai Egmore–Sengottai Pothigai Express 10 minutes earlier due to speed enhancements.
Similarly, passenger services such as the Nellai–Sengottai Passenger arrived 35 minutes earlier, while the Madurai–Rameswaram Passenger arrived 15 minutes earlier, resulting in significant time savings for passengers.
