CHENNAI: Six overnight train services from Chennai to Madurai, Coimbatore, Thoothukudi, Mettupalayam, Kanniyakumari and Sengottai are set to resume from September 7.
On Thursday, the state government requested the railways to resume more train services connecting various parts of the state with Chennai in a bid to boost economic activity.
Acting on this, the railways has proposed to resume six train services: Chennai – Madurai Pandiyan Express, Chennai – Kanniyakumari Express, Chennai – Thoothukudi Pearl City Express, Chennai – Coimbatore Cheran Express, Chennai – Mettupalayam Nilagiri Express and Chennai – Sengottai Silambu Express.
Earlier, the state government had requested to resume the seven special train services operated during the lockdown between June 1 and 29. The trains were operated on the Coimbatore - Mayiladuthurai, Coimbatore -Katpadi, Villupuram – Madurai, Tiruchy – Nagercoil, Tiruchy – Chengalpattu (via chordline), Tiruchy – Chengalpattu (via mainline) and Arakkonam – Coimbatore routes.
“In addition to seven intercity specials, six overnight trains which remained cancelled since March 21 will resume services. The proposal has been approved by the railway board. All the trains will have only reserved coaches,” said a highly placed official from Southern Railway.
Meanwhile, SETC and six TNSTC corporations commenced work to resume inter-district and intra-state bus services from September 7. The CMBT bus terminus in Chennai and other bus stands in districts have been disinfected ahead of the resumption of bus services.