The test run was able to cover the distance in three hours, which normally takes five hours, with short stops at Salem and Erode railway stations before stopping at Coimbatore. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Southern Railway successfully conducted the third trial run between Jolarpettai and Coimbatore railway stations for a distance of 286 km to increase the existing speed from 110 kmph to 130 kmph.
Officials of the Salem Division of Southern Railway said the trial version is part of improving services for long-distance passengers. In other words, gradually increasing the speed of expressways will reduce the travel time of commuters to their destination. “Necessary upgradation has been done, including on the tracks to increase the speed limit of express trains,” a senior railway official told The Hindu.
Currently, railway officials said that Coimbatore Intercity and Cheran Express trains take around five hours to run between Jolarpettai and Coimbatore on an average. Shatabdi Express trains take half an hour less for the same distance on the route. The speed limit for trains is 110 km/h.
On the other hand, the trial run was able to cover the distance in three hours with brief halts at Salem and Erode railway stations before halting at Coimbatore. The train speed limit was increased to 145 km/h.
Apart from saving travel time, the trial run also helped field-level engineers to assess various parameters such as track geometry, rolling stock stability, oscillatory behavior and movement of trains on curves on the route. It helps ensure the safety of passengers once the total speed of trains on the route is increased to 130 kmph, officials said. Currently, an average of 70-80 express trains between Chennai, Coimbatore and Bengaluru pass through Jolarpet railway station daily. Vande Bharat and Shatabdi Express are among the trains operating on the route.
In terms of patronage, over 16,000 long-distance passengers board trains at Jolarpettai station every day. “Increasing the speed limit will help us reach our destination earlier and more safely. More express trains that have fewer stops like Vande Bharat should stop at Jolarpet station,” said C. Ramachandran, a commuter.
Railway officials said the section between Jolarpettai and Coimbatore will be certified as fit for running at 130 kmph in the coming months. Once approved, the increased train speed will not only reduce overall travel time, but also improve operational efficiency and ease track congestion along the route.
Published – 28 Nov 2025 22:44 IST
