The trial run was able to cover the distance in three hours, which usually takes five hours, with brief stops at Salem and Erode railway stations before halting at Coimbatore.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Southern Railway has successfully conducted a third trial run between Jolarpettai and Coimbatore railway stations, a distance of 286 km, to increase the existing speed of 110 kmph to 130 kmph.
Officials of Salem Division of Southern Railway said that the trial is part of enhancing service to long distance travellers. In other words, the gradual increase in speed of express trains will reduce travel time of commuters to reach their destination. “Necessary upgradation, including on tracks, have been done to increase speed limit of express trains,” a senior railway official told The Hindu.
At present, railway officials said that on an average, Coimbatore Intercity and Cheran Express trains take around five hours of travel between Jolarpettai and Coimbatore. Shatabdi Express trains take half an hour less to cover the same distance on the route. The speed limit of trains is 110 kmph.
On the other hand, the trial run was able to cover the distance in three hours with brief stops at Salem and Erode railway stations before halting at Coimbatore. The speed limit of the train was increased to 145 kmph.
Apart from saving travel time, the trial run also helped field level engineers to assess various parameters like track geometry, stability of rolling stock, oscillation behaviour and movement of trains at curves on the route. It helps to ensure safety of travellers once the total speed of the trains is increased to 130 kmph on the route, officials said. Currently, on an average, 70-80 express trains between Chennai, Coimbatore and Bengaluru pass through Jolarpet Railway Station every day. Vande Bharat and Shatabdi Express are among the trains operated on the route.
In terms of patronage, over 16,000 long distance travellers board trains at Jolarpettai railway station everyday. “Increase in speed limit will help us to reach our destination sooner and safer. More express trains that have fewer stops like Vande Bharat should halt at Jolarpet railway station,” said C. Ramachandran, a commuter.
Railway officials said that the section between Jolarpettai and Coimbatore will be certified fit for operating at 130 kmph in the coming months. Once approved, the increased train speed will not only reduce total time travel but also improve operational efficiency and ease track congestion on the route.
Published – November 28, 2025 10:44 pm IST
