New train service from Telangana to Tamil Nadu announced

Rail users in Thanjavur District have celebrated the announcement of a new weekly express train from Charlapalli in Telangana to Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu. The train service, set to begin in April, is a response to requests from local passengers and support from the Telangana Tamil Sangam. A. Giri, secretary of the Thanjavur District Rail Users’ Association, noted that this service follows years of advocacy. They regret the cancellation of a previous special train between Secunderabad and Rameswaram, which had been popular with passengers. The association hopes for the extension of another train service to connect Hyderabad to Nagercoil. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw met with the association members and the Tamil Nadu BJP State General Secretary Karuppu M. Muruganantham. He assured them of exploring the demand for improved rail links from Thanjavur to Telangana. The new train will depart Charlapalli at 9:50 PM on Wednesdays, arriving in Kanniyakumari at 2:30 AM on Fridays. The route will cover several key stations in Tamil Nadu. On the return trip, the train will leave Kanniyakumari at 5:15 AM on Fridays and reach Charlapalli by 11:40 AM the next day. Meanwhile, travelers from the Delta districts have expressed concerns about ticket availability on the Tirunelveli-Purulia Weekly Super Fast Express. They report many unoccupied seats on the journey from Tiruchi to Katpadi, yet face challenges when booking tickets. Advance booking systems often show no availability, frustrating passengers seeking to travel to intermediate stations.