The Railway Board has approved several changes to train services in the Southern Railway Zone, effective from July 2024. These include the introduction of a new bi-weekly express train between Tuticorin and Mettupalayam, the extension of services for three MEMU trains running between Coimbatore and Mettupalayam to Podanur, the addition of...
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a stop at Samalpatti for the Coimbatore – Tirupati Express, the extension of services for the Mysuru – Mayiladuthurai Express to Cuddalore Port, and the increase in frequency of the Mayiladuthurai – Trichy Express from 5 days a week to daily. The Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr L. Murugan, will flag off these changes at a function in Mettupalayam on July 19th, 2024. The new Tuticorin – Mettupalayam Bi-Weekly Express (Train No. 16766 / 16765) will commence regular service on July 20th, 2024, departing Tuticorin at 22.50 hrs on Thursdays and Saturdays and reaching Mettupalayam at 07.40 hrs on Fridays and Sundays. The return journey, Train No. 16765 Mettupalayam – Tuticorin, will depart Mettupalayam at 19.35 hrs on Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Tuticorin at 04.20 hrs on Saturdays and Mondays. The train will stop at Coimbatore, Kinathukadavu, Pollachi, Udumalaipet, Palani, Oddanchatram, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudunagar, Sattur, and Kovilpatti in both directions. The extension of services for the three MEMU trains (Train Nos. 06009 / 06812, 06815 / 06816, and 06822 / 06823) to Podanur Jn will also commence on July 20th, 2024. The Coimbatore – Tirupati Express (Train No. 22615 / 22616) will have a stop at Samalpatti Railway Station from July 22nd, 2024. The inaugural service of the extended Mysuru – Mayiladuthurai Express (Train No. 16231 / 16232) to Cuddalore Port will be remotely flagged off by Dr L. Murugan through video conferencing from Mettupalayam at 10.55 hrs on July 19th, 2024. Regular service on the extended route will commence from July 19th, 2024. Finally, the Mayiladuthurai – Trichy Express (Train Nos. 16233 / 16234) has been renumbered as Train Nos. 16833 / 16834 and its frequency increased from 5 days a week to daily, effective from July 20th, 2024.

A new bi-weekly express train service between Tuticorin (Thoothukudi) and Mettupalayam will be launched on July 20th, 2024. The train will operate on Thursdays and Saturdays from Tuticorin, departing at 10:50 PM and reaching Mettupalayam at 7:40 AM the next day. The return service (Mettupalayam to Tuticorin) will operate on Fridays...
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and Sundays, departing at 7:35 PM from Mettupalayam and arriving at 4:20 AM the next day in Tuticorin. The train will stop at Kovilpatti, Sattur, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Ottakkalmandapam, Palani, Udumalpet, Pollachi, Kinathukadavu, and Coimbatore. The train will consist of 1 AC 2-tier coach, 2 AC 3-tier coaches, 9 sleeper coaches, 4 general coaches, and 2 luggage coaches with a railway manager's room. The inaugural ceremony for the new service will be held in Mettupalayam on July 19th, 2024, by Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, L. Murugan.