Chennai-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express: Tamil Nadu’s First 20-Coach Vande Bharat Train

The 20627/20628 Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil Junction Vande Bharat Express is India`s 52nd Vande Bharat Express and connects the metropolitan city of Chennai with Nagercoil, known as the Temple of Nagas town, in Tamil Nadu.

The train was initially scheduled to be inaugurated on June 20, 2024, but the launch was postponed due to administrative reasons. It was officially inaugurated on August 31, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through a video conference from New Delhi.

Overview

Operated by Indian Railways, the Vande Bharat Express connects the following stations:

- Chennai Egmore

- Tambaram

- Villupuram Junction

- Tiruchirappalli Junction

- Dindigul Junction

- Madurai Junction

- Kovilpatti

- Tirunelveli Junction

- Nagercoil Junction

The train operates six days a week, except Wednesdays, under train numbers 20627 and 20628.

Coaches and Rake Details

The train is a second-generation Vande Bharat Express, designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Perambur, Chennai, under the Government of India`s Make in India initiative.

It was the first Vande Bharat Express operating entirely within Tamil Nadu to feature a 16-coach configuration.

Due to increasing passenger demand, the train`s capacity was upgraded from 16 coaches to 20 coaches with effect from May 8, 2025. With this upgrade, it became the first 20-coach Vande Bharat Express operating within Tamil Nadu and the longest Vande Bharat service in the state. It also became the third-longest Vande Bharat train in terms of coach configuration, after the New Delhi-Varanasi and Varanasi-New Delhi services.

Service Details

The Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express operates six days a week, excluding Wednesdays.

Key service details:

- Train Numbers: 20627/20628

- Route Distance: 724 km

- Travel Time: Approximately 8 hours

- Average Speed: 82 km/h

- Maximum Permissible Speed: 130 km/h

- Intermediate Stops: 7

- Operating Days: Six days a week (except Wednesdays)

20627 Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express: Timetable

Disclaimer: Timings and platform numbers are subject to change.