In a significant move to assist stranded air passengers, Southern Railway has announced the operation of special trains and the temporary addition of extra coaches to several existing services. This initiative comes as a direct response to the widespread cancellations of IndiGo flights, which have disrupted travel plans for many.
Special Trains to Ease Passenger Burden
The railway authority will run express special trains on key routes to provide immediate relief. On December 7 and 8, specific trains will be operational to connect major destinations.
The Coimbatore – Dr MGR Chennai Central – Coimbatore Express specials (Nos. 06024/06023) will run via Tirupur, Erode, and Salem. Similarly, the Thiruvananthapuram North – Chennai Egmore – Thiruvananthapuram North Express specials (Nos. 06108/06107) will operate via Podanur, Tirupur, Erode, and Salem on the same dates.
Furthermore, Nagercoil – Tambaram – Nagercoil superfast specials (Nos. 06012/06011) will also be available on December 7 and 8, traveling through Madurai, Dindigul, and Trichy.
Massive Augmentation of Coaches Nationwide
Beyond special trains, a large-scale coach augmentation program is underway. According to an official press release, 37 trains across the country have been augmented with 116 additional coaches, resulting in over 114 augmented trips. This temporary measure, which began on Saturday, will be effective for most trains until December 10, with a few extending until December 12.
Additional chair cars and sleeper class coaches have been strategically deployed on high-demand routes to accommodate the sudden surge in rail passengers.
Specific Coach Additions in Southern Railway
Southern Railway has detailed specific enhancements to several premium trains. On Sunday, December 7, one AC three-tier coach each will be added to the No.12696 Thiruvananthapuram Central-Dr MGR Chennai Central Superfast Express and the No. 22157 Mumbai CST-Chennai Beach Superfast Express.
On December 10, the No 20481 Jodhpur-Tiruchirappalli Humsafar Express will receive an extra AC three-tier coach. For Shatabdi Express travelers, both the No. 12243 Dr MGR Chennai Central-Coimbatore and the No. 12244 Coimbatore - Dr MGR Chennai Central services commencing on December 7 will operate with one additional chair car coach each.
Additionally, several other express trains starting their journeys on December 7 will be augmented with one extra sleeper class coach each. These include:
- No. 22154 Salem - Chennai Egmore Express
- No. 22650 Erode Dr MGR Chennai Central Yercaud Superfast Express
- No 22640 Alappuzha Dr MGR Chennai Central Superfast Express
This comprehensive step by Southern Railway is expected to provide crucial connectivity and ease the travel woes of countless passengers affected by the unexpected airline disruptions.
