Passengers hail Antyodaya Express from Tambaram

Rail users have welcomed the Southern Railway’s decision to run the much-awaited Antyodaya Express between Tambaram and Tirunelveli from June 8. However, they have appealed to railway authorities to minimise the running time from its more than 14 hours schedule, despite the train having limited stoppages.


The Antyodaya Express, which is a fully unreserved LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) train was announced by the railway board in November 2017. Though it was scheduled to be inaugurated in April, it was postponed. Now, the railways has announced that the much-awaited train will be run from Friday (June 8). According to officials, the fare would 15% more than other express trains’ unreserved fare.
The coaches have number of amenities including additional hand holds in the doorway area, J-Hook near longitudinal luggage racks, vestibuled ends for internal movement of the passengers and anti-graffiti coating for exterior painting that would definitely attract the commuters, a senior official from Trichy division said.
As per the announcement, the train will have stoppages at Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Trichy, Dindigul, Madurai and Virudhunagar. However, the total running time will be more than 14 hours.
“The scheduled hours of a journey – approximately more than 14 hours, will be an enduring one. So, the running hours should be curtailed by increasing the speed,” member of Divisional Rail Users Consultative Committee, Trichy division and advisor of Thanjavur District Rail Users’ Association, A Giri said.