Bangalore-Salem passenger commences maiden journey

This is the first passenger train to be operated in the Mayiladuthurai-Tiruvarur section, after it was converted into broad gauge track.

Bangalore–Salem day-time passenger train, which was extended to Nagore, commenced its maiden journey up to Nagore on Sunday.

This is the first passenger train to be operated in the Mayiladuthurai-Tiruvarur section, after it was converted into broad gauge track. When the train arrived at Mayiladuthurai junction this evening, the local people accorded a rousing reception.

Officials of the construction wing of Tiruchi Railway Division offered special poojas at Mayiladuthurai junction as this is the first train to be operated in the Mayiladuthurai–Tiruvarur section. Later, the train left for Nagore via Tiruvarur. At Tiruvarur junction too, people offered warm reception to the train.

The passenger train that leaves Bangalore at 7.15 a.m. would arrive at Salem at 12.50 p.m. It would leave Salem at 1 p.m. and reach Nagore at 10 p.m. In the return journey, the train would leave Nagore at 4 a.m. and reach Salem at 1.25 p.m. and arrive in Bangalore by 7 p.m. This is the second train connecting delta districts with Karnataka. Already, Mayiladuthurai–Mysore express is plying via Thanjavur and Tiruchi.

Meanwhile, all is set for the inaugural run of the weekly thrice Mannargudi–Tirupathi day express. The train, connecting two temple towns of Tirupathi and Mannargudi housing the famous Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple, would be flagged off from Tirupathi on July 3 morning.

The train would commence its regular service from Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district from July 4.

The advance reservation for this new train begins on July 2, a release from Tiruchi Railway Division said on Sunday.

The Mannagudi–Tirupathi express is only the second train to be operated on the newly laid Tiruvarur–Mayiladuthurai BG section, after the Bangalore–Salem passenger which was extended to Nagore today (Sunday).

The new train no.17407 would leave Tirupathi on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10.40 a.m. and arrive at Mannargudi at 10.35 p.m. the same days. The train no.17408 would leave Mannargudi on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 5.30 a.m. and arrive at Tirupathi at 4.35 p.m. the same days.

The train stops at Nidamanglam, Tiruvarur, Peralam, Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi, Chidambaram, Cuddalore Port Junction, Villupuram, Tirukkovilur, Tiruvannamalai, Arni Road, Vellore Cantonment, Katpadi, Chittoor and Pakala.

The composition of the train is one air-conditioned chair car coach, six second sitting coaches, six second class unreserved coaches, and two second class (disabled friendly)-cum-luggage-cum-brake van coaches.

While thanking the Railways for introducing the thrice a week Mannargudi–Tirupathi express, Thanjavur District Rail Users Association has pleaded for operating a link train from Thanjavur junction to Mayiladuthurai for the benefit of devotees of Thanjavur and Kumbakonam proceeding to Tirupathi. The carriages of the link train could be attached to Mannargudi–Tirupathi express at Mayiladuthurai junction and this would provide people of Thanjavur and Kumbakonam direct train service to Tirupathi, A. Giri, vice-president of the association, said.