The Ministry of Railways has approved the regularisation of Tiruchi – Tambaram train which has been running as a special service for over a year now. The express train in both directions will be operated with new numbers 16807 / 16808.
The Railway Board, New Delhi, has issued a communication approving the proposal of Southern Railway for regularisation of the train which is presently being operated as a special service on the mainline section via Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai. The communication has been sent to Southern Railway authorities.
As per the communication, the express trains will be operated five days a week barring Tuesday and Wednesday. It will run with the existing composition of 20 coaches with halts at Tiruverumbur, Thanjavur, Papanasam, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi, Chidambaram, Tirupadripulyur, Panruti, Villupuram, Tindivanam, Melmaruvathur and Chengalpattu.
The train will leave Tiruchi Junction at 5.35 a.m. and reach Tambaram at 12.30 p.m. In the return direction, it will leave Tambaram at 3.30 p.m. and arrive at Tiruchi Junction at 10.40 p.m. The maintenance of the coaches will be handled at Tiruchi, the communication further said.
The Railway Board’s announcement comes amid persistent demand from rail users, especially from the delta region, who have been consistently seeking regularisation of the train instead of being operated as a special service in view of the good patronage.
The demand for according a permanent status to the special train was pursued by Tiruchi Lok Sabha MP Durai Vaiko. He submitted separate memorandums to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Southern Railway General Manager on different occasions.
Southern Railway introduced the Tiruchi – Tambaram – Tiruchi special trains (06190 / 06191) in October 2024 as a day-time service and kept extending its operation periodically. The special train has been providing connectivity to Chennai especially for travellers in delta region and beyond apart from Tiruchi – Chennai Egmore Cholan superfast daily day-time express train.
Mr. Durai Vaiko in a statement issued on Tuesday thanked the Railway Minister and the officers of the department for making the train a regular service heeding his demand. The announcement has gladdened rail users associations in the delta region.
Welcoming the Railway Board’s approval for permanent operation of the Tiruchi – Tambaram intercity express, Thanjavur District Railway Users’ Association secretary A. Giri on Tuesday said the announcement had fulfilled the long-pending demand for a regular day time connectivity to Chennai from the delta region. The permanent operation of the train would enable travellers in the delta region to plan their journey. ‘
Papanasam-based Train Passengers Association secretary T. Saravanan also thanked the Railway Minister and Southern Railway officials for accepting the demand and making the train a permanent express service.
Published – February 03, 2026 05:25 pm IST
