Chennai: In a proactive move to manage the massive post-Diwali return rush, the Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has declared a public holiday on October 21. The decision aims to decongest travel routes by encouraging a staggered return for the thousands of people who visited their hometowns for the festival, preventing the severe hardship of a single-day travel surge.
Anticipating the high demand, the Southern Railway and South Western Railway have announced a series of special train services to facilitate the smooth return of passengers to cities like Chennai and Bengaluru. While bookings for many special buses and trains are already completed, a significant number of travellers are still holding out for last-minute seat availability on these additional services.
Special Train from Tirunelveli to Chennai Egmore: Schedule and Stops
To cater to the influx of passengers returning to the capital, the Southern Railway will operate the Tirunelveli – Chennai Egmore Super Fast Express (Train No. 06166). The service will depart from Tirunelveli at 11:55 PM on October 22 and arrive at Chennai Egmore at 10:55 AM the following day.
For the return journey to southern districts, Train No. 06165 will depart from Chennai Egmore at 12:30 PM on October 23, reaching Tirunelveli at 12:15 AM the next day. The train’s composition includes 1 AC Two-Tier coach, 2 AC Three-Tier coaches, 9 Sleeper Class coaches, and 4 General Second Class coaches. The train will halt at key stations including Kovilpatti, Sattur, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Trichy, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, and Tambaram in both directions.
Bengaluru Commute Eased with New MEMU Special Train Service
Addressing the travel needs on another key route, the South Western Railway has announced a KSR Bengaluru – Jolarpettai MEMU Special train. This service will run until October 23, departing from Bengaluru at 7:55 PM and arriving at Jolarpettai at 11:05 PM the same day.
The return service will leave Jolarpettai at 11:15 PM, reaching Bengaluru at 2:00 AM the following day. Operating as an 8-coach MEMU train, it will provide crucial connectivity for commuters, with stops at Bengaluru Cantonment, Krishnarajapuram, Whitefield, Bangarupet, and Kuppam stations in both directions.