Chennai Egmore-Tirunelveli VB Express to have double the number of seats from January 11
In November 2024, DT Next had reported that the zonal railway was taking steps to increase the number of coaches from the present eight to sixteen.
Vande Bharat train
CHENNAI: In a move that would cheer thousands of people in Tamil Nadu, especially those in the central and southern districts of the State, the Southern Railway has decided to double the number of coaches of Chennai Egmore – Tirunelveli Vande Bharat Express from January 11.
In November 2024, DT Next had reported that the zonal railway was taking steps to increase the number of coaches from the present eight to sixteen.
Following the Railway Board order, the Southern Railway has decided to augment the composition of this VB Express and also the one between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasarkode in Kerala. The decision was taken based on operational and commercial feasibility to enhance the travel experience of passengers by increasing the seating capacity.
The Chennai Egmore to Tirunelveli is one of the most sought-after routes for this pricey but popular train, with the demand always hovering above the available seats.
At present, the Egmore-Tirunelveli train has seven chair cars with 78 seats each and an executive car with 56 seats.
After the augmentation, there would be more than 1,100 seats, much more than the Shatabdi Express with an equal number of coaches, as the latter has a conventional rake.
Train no 20666/20665 Tirunelveli - Chennai Egmore - Tirunelveli Vande Bharat Express will operate with 16-car Vande Bharat rake from both ends from January 11, while train no. 20634/20633 Thiruvananthapuram Central - Kasargod - Thiruvananthapuram Central Vande Bharat Express will operate with 20-car Vande Bharat rake with effect from January 10.
