After the completion of electrification and doubling works on the Madurai-Tirunelveli section, the 26th Vande Bharat Express in the country is scheduled to be introduced between Chennai and Tirunelveli.

The semi-high-speed train is expected to be launched on 6 August by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Starting from Tirunelveli in the morning, the eight-car train will reach Chennai Egmore in the afternoon, covering a distance of 650 km in eight hours. The train will make stops at Virudhunagar, Madurai and Tiruchy stations.

Currently, the Nellai Express takes approximately 10 hours and 40 minutes, while the Kanyakumari Express and Nagercoil Express take around 11 hours to travel between Chennai and Tirunelveli during night hours.

According to an official from the Madurai division, the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express will offer a much-needed daytime option for travellers from Tirunelveli and Virudhunagar districts to Chennai. This will not only reduce the demand for night trains but also provide faster connectivity to the southern region.

The Chennai-Tirunelveli-Nagercoil section experiences high ticket demand on weekends and during festivals. The introduction of the Vande Bharat Express is expected to significantly reduce the festival rush in this section, benefiting passengers from Tiruchy, Madurai, and Virudhunagar districts.

To prepare for the launch, the Madurai railway division has instructed its officials to complete the necessary work for maintaining the Vande Bharat rake at Tirunelveli yard, reports The New Indian Express.

According to an official, the rake for the Vande Bharat Express was recently handed over to Southern Railway by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. Currently, it is undergoing testing. Once the testing is completed, the rake will be transferred to Tirunelveli in preparation for the official introduction.

Tamil Nadu will have its third Vande Bharat Express, following the ones launched between Chennai and Mysuru and between Chennai and Coimbatore.

Chennai-Tirunelveli Vande bharat

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