Personal trains services were terminated about 40 years ago on the Karaikal-Pelam line. | Photo Credit: File Photos
After the introduction of transport train services on the new Karaikal-Poelam section, a wide breakup, users of the railway in the region are now eagerly waiting for the introduction of passenger trains.
If the demand is fulfilled, it will indicate the restoration of passenger trains services on the line after a gap of 40 years. The electrified section 23.5 km below the border of the Tiruchi railway division was cleaned for the operation of passenger trains by Commissioner for Railway Safety, Southern Circle, Bengaluru, at the end of last month.
Although the official announcement must still come from the southern railway, railway users have come up with suggestions looking for an extension of several trains to Karaikal and operated them in this section to various destinations.
The southern railway could explore the extension of the Tirupati-Villupuram Intercity by an unconditional express train to Karaikal via Mayiladuthurai, Peraam and ThiroLar. This would benefit passengers in the Karaikal area who would come to Tirupatim, said VR Dhaneelane, a member of the Advisory Committee for Division Railway users based in Karaikal.
Such a step would also benefit devoted passengers to the famous Sani Bhagwan temple in Thiruallar. Mr. Dhanaseelane, who pointed out that the train had already passed Tiruvannamalai, said that the expansion of Intercity Express Tirupati-Villupuram would thus combine the three most popular religious cities.
Railway Administration could expand the daily service of the Mayiladuthurai-Salem to Karaikal via Thirunallar. The train starts at Mayiladuthurai at 6 o’clock by expanding it to Karaikal, the train could be operated at 5.15 in the morning from Karaikal to reach Mayiladuthurai. The extension would provide railroad users in the Karaikal Connectivity area to Salem. It will be beneficial for those who are progressing to Kumbakonami, Tiruchi and Karura from Karaikan and Thirunallar, Dhanaseelane said.
M. Rajadurai, a consumer activist and Tratinam resident near Karaikal, said that the railway users in the region are waiting eagerly for the renewal of the train services in the Karaikal-Poelam section at the earliest. He said that the railway should run from Karaikal a daily train to Villupuram via the oralam and a daily train to Chennai.
Published – 12 June 2025 20:40 is
