MGR Central-Tirupati among SR’s proposed pvt train routes

The Chief Passenger Transportation Manager (CPTM) of SR has written to the Railway Board (RB), proposing a weekly and tri-weekly train each from the zonal headquarters to the renowned pilgrimage center in Andhra, and Ernakulam to Kochuveli.

In his September 15 letter, copy of which is available with DT Next, the CPTM has recommended stoppages to the Tirupati-bound train at Arakkonam and Renigunta. Stoppages have been suggested for the tri-weekly train connecting two major towns in Kerala at Kollam and Kottayam.

Confirming the proposal by the CPTM, a senior railway official said the two train routes were identified for private operation based on the instructions of the Railway Board to utilising the lie over time of the rakes.

“The bi-weekly Chennai–Lokmanya Tilak private train, one of the 14 routes, will remain idle during non-service days. So, we have proposed to utilise the lie over time for another short-distance service between Chennai and Tirupati after the Board asked us to look into it,” the officer added.

Going by the lie over of (bi-weekly) Chennai–Lokmanya Tilak–Chennai private train, SR has recommended that the Tirupati-bound private train could leave MGR Chennai Central station at 7.20 pm and reach Tirupati at 10.30 pm. In the return direction, SR officers have proposed to start the train from at 9.40 am and terminate at Central station by 12.50 pm.

“We have identified the routes as per the board’s instruction. The proposals are under bidding stages only,” the official said, adding that the trains were expected to be operational by April 2023.