VELLORE : After the successful operation of Arakkonam - Jolarpettai Express train with Multiple Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) rakes, the Southern Railway has introduced another special express train with Diesel Electrical Multiple Unit (DEMU) cars between Villupuram and Katpadi on Saturday.
The train starting from Villupuram at 7.15 am reaches Katpadi station around 10.35 pm after passing through Tirukovilur, Tiruvannamalai, Polur, Arani road and Kannamangalam stations. The train covers 160 km distance in three hours.
The introduction of the train is expected to provide a huge relief for the passengers from Tiruvannamalai - the district which does not have adequate train connectivity in the State.
Southern Railway has fixed the ‘Express’ ticket fare for the train. Official sources from Southern Railway said, the short distance express train had been introduced as special train for the period of three months.
“It will be operated for five days excluding Sunday and Monday. Depending upon the patronage, the train will be regularised,” added sources.
On its first run, when the train reached Vellore Cantonment station, rail passengers garlanded the loco pilot. All the ten coaches of DEMU rakes have been provided with toilets.
The two passenger trains running in Katpadi - Villupuram section leaves Katpadi station at 4.55 am and 6.55 am respectively.
Welcoming the introduction of the new trains, the railway passengers association also urged the authorities concerned to introduce a DEMU train to Chennai from Tiruvannamalai.
“The single line Katpadi-Vellore-Tiruvnannamalai-Villupuram section was electrified in 2011, but still it remains one of the under utilised section of Southern Railway. For a population of nearly 25 lakh, there is no direct train to Chennai,” said R Santhanakrishnan of Tiruvanamalai Railway Passengers Association.