After a prolonged delay, Southern Railway is all set to extend Chennai Egmore- Manamadurai Silambu Express up to to Shencottah very soon.
Railway sources said Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu was soon likely to make the formal announcement of the extension of the train that would serve as the second express train for the people of the western parts of Tirunelveli district and a good part of Virudhunagar district, connecting to Chennai.
It will be a big relief for passengers who are now dependent on the only express train –Pothigai Express – run in Shencottah-Virudhunagar section connecting to Chennai. For nearly a decade, Pothigai Express has been the only train catering to a vast area with several towns in the two districts.
Besides the tourist spots in and around Courtallam and Shencottah, the industrial towns of Rajapalayam and Sivakasi and pilgrimage centres like Srivilliputtur demand additional train services to meet the increasing demand.
The then Virudhunagar MP, B. Manicka Togore, attempted to extend the train on a trial basis for six months before the 2014 Lok Sabha election. However, later it was withdrawn.
Railway sources said an additional railway line was laid at Shencottah railway station to stable an additional rake. A railway official said the timing of the train was well within the operation timing of Virudhunagar- Shencottah.
With gauge conversion in the ghat section of Shencottah- Punalur section at an advanced stage, more trains are likely to be operated in Shencottah- Virudhunagar section shortly.
