Tamil Nadu: Broad gauge for 13 yrs, no direct train to Velankanni from ChennaiDespite the conversion of the Nagapattinam to Velankanni railway line to broad gauge over 13 years ago, a direct train service from Chennai to Velankanni, a popular pilgrimage and tourist destination, remains unavailable. This absence forces tourists and devotees to rely on buses and other modes of transportation, especially during peak...
more... seasons. Although the Southern Railway officials have announced summer special trains to Velankanni, a regular daily service from Chennai is still under consideration. While crores of rupees were spent on the broad gauge conversion, the section remains underutilized due to the lack of a daily service. Passengers currently have to travel on the Chennai Egmore - Karaikkal Kamban Express and disembark at Nagapattinam at 3.40 am, then board the Nagapattinam - Velankanni DEMU passenger train at 4.30 am to reach Velankanni. The Kamban Express, previously operating during the meter gauge era, was introduced in its broad gauge version in 2010. In 2013, slip coaches were introduced to Velankanni, but these were discontinued in 2022. Passengers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the inconvenience of disembarking at Nagapattinam at an early hour, especially for families with children and elderly members. Critics have also pointed to the lack of accountability in railway administration for not fully utilizing the broad gauge line despite significant public spending.
Nagapattinam se Velankanni railway line ko broad gauge mein convert kiya gaya hai 13 saal se zyada ho gaya, par Chennai se Velankanni tak direct train service abhi tak nahi hai. Velankanni ek famous pilgrimage aur tourist destination hai, aur iske bina logon ko bus ya aur modes of transport ka...
more... use karna padta hai, khaas kar summer vacation aur festival season mein. Southern Railway ke officials ne Velankanni tak summer special trains ka announcement kiya hai, par Chennai se regular daily service kab aayega, ye abhi tak clear nahi hai. Broad gauge conversion par crores of rupees kharch hue, par section abhi bhi underutilized hai kyunki Chennai se daily service nahi hai. Passengers ko abhi Chennai Egmore - Karaikkal Kamban Express mein travel karna padta hai, aur 3.40 am pe Nagapattinam pe utarna padta hai, aur fir 4.30 am pe Nagapattinam - Velankanni DEMU passenger train pakadna padta hai. Kamban Express, jo meter gauge era mein operate hota tha, uska broad gauge version 2010 mein launch kiya gaya tha. 2013 mein, slip coaches Velankanni tak introduce kiye gaye, lekin 2022 mein discontinue kar diye gaye. Passengers ko 3.40 am pe Nagapattinam pe utarne mein bohot inconvenience hota hai, khaas kar un families ko jinki children aur elderly members hote hain. Critics ne railway administration ki lack of accountability pe bhi question uthaye hain kyunki broad gauge line par itna zyada paisa kharch hone ke baad bhi use fully utilise nahi kiya gaya.
