The inaugural service of the new Kacheguda–Madurai weekly express that was flagged off from Kacheguda on Tuesday arrived here this morning. The train that arrived at Tiruchi junction at 8.45 a.m. left for Madurai at 9 a.m.
In the return direction, the special train arrived at Tiruchi junction at 5.30 p.m. and later left for Kacheguda.
The regular service (17615) will commence from Kacheguda at 6.05 a.m. on Saturdays from June 1 and will arrive at Tiruchi junction at 3.35 a.m. the next day via Katpadi, Ambur, Vaniyambadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, and Karur. It will depart from Tiruchi at 3.40 p.m. and will reach Madurai at 7 a.m. via Dindigul and Kodaikanal road.
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In the return direction, the train no. 17616 will leave Madurai at 12.50 p.m. on Sundays from June 2 and will arrive at Tiruchi junction at 3.45 p.m.
It will depart from Tiruchi at 4 p.m. and will reach Kacheguda at 2.05 p.m. on Monday. Advance reservation for the regular service began today, according to a Southern Railway press release.
While welcoming the new weekly service, which was announced in the Railway Budget 2012, various organisations and commuters of Tiruchi have urged the Railways to increase its frequency.
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“By introducing this new service, the Railways has conceded the long-pending demand of the commuters of Tiruchi district. A good number of people, particularly traders of Tiruchi, regularly travel to Hyderabad and other parts of Andhra Pradesh. Till now, they have to reach Chennai to catch the overnight trains to Hyderabad. The Railways should come forward to increase the frequency of this train and should operate it at least thrice a week,” says M. Lourduraj, general secretary of Train Travellers’ Welfare Association.