NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, MAR 29
In a strong and comprehensive appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Kanyakumari District Railway Users’ Association (KKDRUA) has placed a detailed charter of demands seeking urgent expansion and modernisation of train services across southern Tamil Nadu.
- Vande Bharat Sleeper, Key Extensions Top Citizens’ Wishlist
- Kanyakumari–Chennai Corridor Flags Massive Demand & Revenue Potential
- Ports, Pilgrimage & Passenger Flow Drive Multi-Route Expansion Push
- Rail Users Urge PM & Rail Minister for “Swift, Favourable Action”
Led by its president S.R. Sreeram, the association highlighted long-pending connectivity gaps while pitching for next-generation upgrades, including a sleeper version of Vande Bharat Express on the high-demand Kanniyakumari–Chennai route.
“We kindly request you to take relevant and favourable action to implement these proposals,” the association said in its memorandum.
Vande Bharat push: Speed meets demand
At the core of the proposal is a transformative push for Vande Bharat services:
- Introduction of a sleeper Vande Bharat between Kanniyakumari and Chennai
- Extension of Tirunelveli–Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat to Nagercoil
- Expansion of Madurai–Bengaluru Vande Bharat up to Nagercoil via a shorter, efficient route
The association underscored the economic viability of the corridor:
“The Nagercoil–Chennai route is known to generate substantial revenue for Indian Railways.”
High-priority demands: Connectivity reset
Flagging “very high priority” needs, KKDRUA sought multiple train extensions:
- Mangaluru–Thiruvananthapuram Express to Kanniyakumari/Nagercoil
- Madurai–Punalur Express extended to Thirunallar as “Nava Graha Express”
- Yelahanka–Kacheguda Express up to Kanniyakumari
- Grand Trunk Express from New Delhi extended to the southern tip
In a major structural suggestion, the association proposed converting key services into daily operations to meet passenger demand.
Port linkages & economic logic
Highlighting logistics and trade, the memorandum stressed better rail connectivity between:
- Vizhinjam International Seaport
- Tuticorin Port
The proposed extension and clubbing of passenger services aim to create a seamless cargo-passenger corridor.
Pilgrimage & people: Rail as lifeline
The demand to extend services to Thirunallar also carries religious significance, linking devotees to the famed Sani Bhagavan Temple and other Navagraha temples.
Simultaneously, increasing frequencies of existing trains to daily service is seen as critical for regular commuters and migrant workers.
A collective voice from the South
The association expressed confidence that timely intervention would resolve long-standing issues:
“We are confident that, with your kind intervention, the grievances of the travelling public of Southern Tamil Nadu districts will be redressed at the earliest.”
With southern districts witnessing rising passenger volumes, industrial growth, and port-led development, the demands reflect not just aspiration—but urgency.
