NE INFRASTRUCTURE BUREAU
CHENNAI, JUNE 15
Every railway timetable carries a silent promise—to reunite families, connect students with their dreams, take patients to healing, enable livelihoods and bring pilgrims closer to faith. During the financial year 2025–26, Southern Railway transformed that promise into reality through one of the most comprehensive passenger-centric expansion programmes in its recent history.
The 71st Railway Week is a celebration of Southern Railway's commitment to growth, service, and nation-building.
In Financial Year 2025–26, Southern Railway recorded an Originating Revenue of ₹13,777.60 Crore — a growth of 8.84%, surpassing the Annual Target by ₹446 Crore.… pic.twitter.com/8PhF0pnIab
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) June 12, 2026
- From high-speed corridors and affordable Amrit Bharat services to expanded MEMU networks, the railway zone redefines mobility in FY 2025–26
- Over 40 new passenger services, 150-plus new stoppages, faster travel times and additional coaches transform millions of journeys into smoother experiences
- Strategic planning, infrastructure upgrades and operational precision bring cities, pilgrimage centres and remote towns closer than ever before
- “Behind every new service, every extended route and every additional halt is the commitment to move not just trains, but the aspirations and lives of millions of Indians.”
Serving Tamil Nadu, Kerala, parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Puducherry, the railway zone unveiled an ambitious roadmap featuring new train services, route extensions, enhanced frequencies, faster journeys, additional stoppages and expanded coach capacities—creating a more connected and accessible rail network for millions.
New Trains: Forging Fresh Pathways Across India
The year witnessed the launch of 23 new passenger train services linked to Tamil Nadu, 14 serving Kerala and five connecting Karnataka, many of which benefit multiple states simultaneously.
Among the standout introductions were the New Jalpaiguri–Nagercoil and New Jalpaiguri–Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Expresses, inaugurated on January 17, 2026, creating stronger links between the southern peninsula and eastern India. The Podanur–Dhanbad Amrit Bharat Express, flagged off on March 11, 2026, further strengthened connectivity across the eastern corridor.
A major milestone in premium inter-city travel came with the launch of the KSR Bengaluru–Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express on November 8, 2025, significantly improving travel between Karnataka and Kerala. Equally impactful was the Tambaram–Thiruvananthapuram Amrit Bharat Express, inaugurated on January 23, 2026, offering affordable long-distance travel while bringing two important regional centres closer.
For everyday commuters, the expansion of MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) services delivered a major boost. The Salem–Erode MEMU, Palakkad–Pollachi MEMU and Kollam–Ernakulam MEMU services strengthened affordable regional mobility, reinforcing the backbone of daily passenger transport.
Extending Reach, Expanding Opportunities
Beyond launching new trains, Southern Railway significantly expanded the reach of existing services.
The Thiruvananthapuram–Madurai Amrita Express was extended to Rameswaram, making one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations more accessible. The Mangaluru Central–Kozhikode Express now reaches Palakkad, while the KSR Bengaluru–Kannur Express has been extended to Kozhikode, creating a seamless Bengaluru–Malabar rail corridor.
Passenger demand also drove frequency enhancements. The Tirupati–Rameswaram Express increased operations from three to four days a week, while services between Tiruchirappalli and Karaikudi and Karaikudi and Virudhunagar became daily operations, benefiting thousands of regular commuters.
More Stops, Greater Inclusion
Perhaps the most meaningful achievement of the year lies in the addition of new stoppages at over 150 stations across Southern Railway’s network.
For towns such as Budalur, Pennadam, Kulukkalur, Valapuzha Halt, Tuvvur and Pichcandar Kovil, a new railway halt represents more than a timetable revision—it opens fresh opportunities for education, employment, healthcare and commerce.
From the Chennai–Hyderabad corridor to Kerala’s coastal belt and from the foothills of the Nilgiris to Cape Comorin, improved accessibility has strengthened last-mile connectivity.
Vadakara emerged as a major beneficiary, receiving stoppages for multiple long-distance trains including the Nagercoil–Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram–Veraval Express and Ernakulam–Pune Express within a single financial year.
Faster Trains, Better Lives
Operational efficiency remained a key focus, with more than 80 express and passenger services accelerated through timetable rationalisation.
The Kollam–Tambaram Express now completes its journey 85 minutes faster, while passengers on the Secunderabad–
These improvements reflect sustained investments in modern track infrastructure, signalling upgrades and operational optimisation, ensuring travellers spend less time in transit and more time with their families and work.
Bigger Capacity, Greater Comfort
To meet rising passenger demand, Southern Railway permanently augmented 41 pairs of trains and seven individual services, introducing 43 rakes and 95 additional coaches across its network.
The Mangaluru–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express was upgraded to a 16-coach formation, substantially increasing passenger capacity. The Chennai–Nagercoil Vande Bharat expanded further from 16 to 20 coaches, while several long-distance services received modern LHB coaches.
MEMU services in Kerala were expanded from 12-car to 16-car formations, significantly improving commuter comfort during peak hours.
State-wise, Tamil Nadu gained 65 additional coaches, Kerala 47, Karnataka 34 and Andhra Pradesh 22, reflecting a balanced infrastructure enhancement strategy across the Southern Railway zone.
Engineering Mobility, Enabling Aspirations
Southern Railway’s achievements during FY 2025–26 underscore the power of meticulous planning, infrastructure modernisation and passenger-focused governance.
Every new train, every route extension, every additional halt and every minute saved represents countless hours of planning and coordination by railway professionals committed to serving the nation.
As the railway network continues to expand, the tracks carry far more than locomotives and coaches—they carry aspirations, opportunities and the everyday stories of millions of Indians.
As Southern Railway itself eloquently observes, “Behind every new service, every extended route, every new halt, is a team of railway men and women who understand that, ultimately, what moves on those tracks is not just coaches and locomotives. It is people, and their lives.”
