The Kovai and Vaigai Express: Enjoying High Patronage in Southern Railway!

Southern Railway released data in response to an RTI query filed by J Deepak of Kumbakonam, showing that a total of 7,44,302 passengers travelled in Kovai Express which runs between Chennai and Coimbatore between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. Furthermore, 6,98,342 people travelled in Vaigai Express from Chennai Egmore to Madurai Junction during the same period.


Coimbatore: Kovai Express (Train No 12675) and Vaigai Superfast Express (Train No 12635) are particularly popular on the Southern Railway.

According to data given by Southern Railway in response to an RTI request made by J Deepak of Kumbakonam, 7,44,302 passengers travelled on the Kovai Express, which runs from Chennai to Coimbatore between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. During the same time period, 6,98,342 individuals boarded the Vaigai Express, which runs between Chennai Egmore and Madurai Junction.

Coimbatore to Chennai Intercity Express (Train No 12679) with 6,39,995 annual passen- gers, Pallavan Superfast Express (Train No 12605) with 6,32,965 passengers, Podhigai Super- fast Express (Train No 12661) with 5,30,933 pas- sengers, Cholan Express (Train No 22676) with 5,15,224 passengers and Nellai Superfast Ex- press (Train No 12631) with 5,07,502 passengers, were the other trains preferred by passengers.

"The railway should set up more chair cars to replace the existing sleeper coaches in the Cholan Express, which runs through Thanjavur and Kumbakonam and has high patronage," Deepak suggested. "We have been demanding that the Trichy-Tambaram train be operated at 6 a.m. via Thanjavur and Kumbakonam because the existing Cholan Express (Train No 22676) is only available at 10.15 a.m.," he added. "Coimbatore is the state's second largest city after Chennai," remarked J Sathish, former DRUCC member and Director of Kongu Global Forum.

"Coimbatore is the second largest city in the state after Chennai, but only two night trains are operated there," stated J Sathish, former DRUCC member and Director of Kongu Global Forum. The RTI response clearly reveals that the Coimbatore to Chennai and Mettupalayam Chennai route has a very excellent potential for operating trains, and the railway board should consider making the weekly special train from Coimbatore to Chennai MGR central (Train No 12682) a daily train."

EC Releases Data: Women Voters Lead in Tamil Nadu as Turnout Reaches 4.88 Crore

According to ECI’s official figures, a total of 4,87,98,833 voters cast their votes out of an electorate of around 5.73...

Water Levels Rise in Major Dams Across Coimbatore and Tiruppur Districts Following Rainfall

Water levels have increased in five major dams across Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts as of May 3, due to continuous i...

Karpagam Pharmacy College Convocation 2026 Celebrates 325 Graduates

Karpagam Pharmacy College held its convocation ceremony on May 2 at Oththakkal Mandapam in Coimbatore. Dr. V. Kalaiselva...

Chithra Pournami Pilgrimage: Devotee Dies While Climbing Velliangiri Hills

A 34-year-old devotee died after collapsing while climbing the Velliangiri Hills during the Chithra Pournami pilgrimage....

NEET 2026 Conducted at 16 Centres in Coimbatore; 7,181 Candidates Appear

A total of 7,181 candidates, including 298 government school students, are appearing for NEET 2026 across 16 centres in...

Evening Thunderstorms Likely Across Coimbatore Over Next 3 Days

Coimbatore to experience hot mornings and increasing evening thunderstorm activity over the next three days, with clouds...