NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, SEPT 21
In a landmark appeal to the Prime Minister and the Union Railway Minister, the Northeast Tamilar Association has urged the Indian Railways to introduce direct train connectivity between Kanniyakumari – India’s southernmost tip – and the Northeastern region, covering Tripura, Assam, and Mizoram.
- The representation highlights that no direct train service currently links southern Tamil Nadu (beyond Chennai) with the Northeast
- The Association points out that with the Chennai–Villupuram–Tiruchirappalli–Madurai–Tirunelveli–Kanniyakumari line now fully doubled and electrified
- The proposal also draws on the Prime Minister’s recent spiritual visit to Kanniyakumari, which has placed the district in national spotlight
- With Tamil Nadu’s 33,000 temples and the Northeast’s unique cultural heritage, such a railway linkage could unite two vibrant regions, creating a new economic and cultural corridor.
The Association’s representation highlights that no direct train service currently links southern Tamil Nadu (beyond Chennai) with the Northeast, despite the completion of critical railway doubling and electrification projects across Tamil Nadu.
Dr. Aaron Gnanadas, Founder & President of the Northeast Tamilar Association, emphasized that connecting the two extreme ends of India — Kanniyakumari and Sabroom/Sairang — would be a historic step in national integration, promoting cultural exchange, economic growth, tourism, and ease of travel for lakhs of families, students, defense personnel, and traders.
Key Proposals Submitted:
- Extension of Chennai Central – New Jalpaiguri Express (22611/12) up to Sabroom (Tripura) at one end and Kanniyakumari at the other, via Tirunelveli, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Chennai Egmore.
- Introduction of a Weekly Kanniyakumari – Sairang (Mizoram) Express, covering major Tamil Nadu junctions on the fully electrified network.
- Extension of New Tinsukia–Tambaram Express (15929/30) and Silghat Town–Tambaram Express (15629/30) further south to Kanniyakumari for enhanced accessibility.
The Association points out that with the Chennai–Villupuram–Tiruchirappalli–Madurai–Tirunelveli–Kanniyakumari line now fully doubled and electrified, and with new terminal facilities at Nagercoil and Kanniyakumari nearing completion, this is the ideal time for Indian Railways to take the step.
The proposal also draws on the Prime Minister’s recent spiritual visit to Kanniyakumari, which has placed the district in national spotlight. With Tamil Nadu’s 33,000 temples and the Northeast’s unique cultural heritage, such a railway linkage could unite two vibrant regions, creating a new economic and cultural corridor.
“This connectivity will be a historic bridge between the southern and northeastern frontiers of our nation, strengthening unity and integration,” Dr. Gnanadas said.
The Association has sought the urgent intervention of the Prime Minister and Railway Minister to implement the proposal, which they believe would mark a transformative moment in India’s railway history.
