To meet the increasing travel demand, Salem Railway Division has introduced thrice-weekly special trains between Podanur and Chennai Central, operating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from July 3 to August 2, 2026.
Coimbatore: To cater to the surge in passenger traffic during weekends, the Salem Division of Southern Railway has announced the operation of thrice-weekly special train services between Podanur and Chennai Central.
According to the Salem Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), the special services have been introduced to meet the increasing travel requirements of passengers during weekends. The trains will operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from July 3 to August 2, 2026.
Train No. 06028 Podanur–Chennai Central Special will depart Podanur at 7.40 a.m. and arrive at Chennai Central at 4.45 p.m. The train will halt at Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Morappur, Jolarpettai, Katpadi, Arakkonam and Perambur en route.
In the return direction, Train No. 06027 Chennai Central–Podanur Special will depart Chennai Central at 5.45 p.m. and reach Podanur at 3 a.m. the following day. It will stop at Perambur, Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Morappur, Salem, Erode and Tiruppur before arriving at Podanur.
The special trains will comprise AC Chair Car, Second Class Chair Car, General Second Class coaches and a Luggage-cum-Brake Van.
Southern Railway said the additional weekend services have been introduced to ease congestion on regular trains and provide passengers travelling between western Tamil Nadu and Chennai with more travel options during the peak weekend travel period.
According to the Salem Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), the special services have been introduced to meet the increasing travel requirements of passengers during weekends. The trains will operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from July 3 to August 2, 2026.
Train No. 06028 Podanur–Chennai Central Special will depart Podanur at 7.40 a.m. and arrive at Chennai Central at 4.45 p.m. The train will halt at Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Morappur, Jolarpettai, Katpadi, Arakkonam and Perambur en route.
In the return direction, Train No. 06027 Chennai Central–Podanur Special will depart Chennai Central at 5.45 p.m. and reach Podanur at 3 a.m. the following day. It will stop at Perambur, Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Morappur, Salem, Erode and Tiruppur before arriving at Podanur.
The special trains will comprise AC Chair Car, Second Class Chair Car, General Second Class coaches and a Luggage-cum-Brake Van.
Southern Railway said the additional weekend services have been introduced to ease congestion on regular trains and provide passengers travelling between western Tamil Nadu and Chennai with more travel options during the peak weekend travel period.