CHENNAI: Southern Railway has announced the cancellation, partial cancellation, diversion and rescheduling of 86 express trains between May and June to facilitate the extension of the third and fourth railway lines in the Puliyamangalam-Arakkonam section. The works involve linking the newly-laid third and fourth railway lines with platforms 1 and 2 at Arakkonam railway station, according to an official statement.
The Chennai Central-Ashokapuram Express, Chennai Central-Coimbatore Intercity Express and Chennai Central-KSR Bengaluru Lalbagh Express, will originate from Katpadi between June 6 and 21. These services will remain partially cancelled between Chennai and Katpadi, requiring passengers to make alternate travel arrangements for the affected stretch.
The return services from Ashokapuram, Coimbatore and Bengaluru will also terminate at Katpadi during the same period. The Chennai Central-Tirupati Sapthagiri Express will originate from Tiruttani instead of Chennai Central from June 6 to 21 at its scheduled departure time of 4 pm, leading to partial cancellation between Chennai and Tiruttani. The return service from Tirupati will also terminate at Tiruttani.
The Sapthagiri Express will remain fully cancelled on June 19 and 21. The Chennai Central-Tirupati Garudadri Express will also remain cancelled in both directions on June 19. In addition, the Tirupati-Chennai Central Sapthagiri Express departing Tirupati at 10.10 am on June 19 and 21 has been fully cancelled. The Chennai Central-Mumbai CSMT Superfast Express scheduled to depart Chennai at 1.15 pm on June 19 will instead originate from Tiruttani at 2.45 pm. On June 20 and 21, the train will originate from Chengalpattu at 1 pm, skipping stoppages at Tiruvallur and Arakkonam.
Similarly, the Chennai Egmore-Salem Superfast Express leaving Chennai Egmore at 11.55 pm on June 20 will originate from Chengalpattu at 12.50 am, resulting in partial cancellation between Chennai Egmore and Chengalpattu. The Chennai Central-Mumbai CSMT Superfast Express will depart at 2.30 pm instead of 1.15 pm from June 6 to 18, while the Chennai Central-Mangaluru Central West Coast Express will leave at 2.40 pm instead of 1.25 pm from June 6 to 20.
