As a Diwali gift to the people of Tenkasi district, Sengottai – Mayiladuthurai express train service started after 25 years.
From Sengottai, located at the foothills of Western Ghats, to Mayiladuthurai via Pandyan country Madurai to Thanjavur in Cholam region, the passengers have experienced boundless joy as this train has started its journey from today.
This connection has now come about due to the continuous demand for a day train from Tenkasi district to connect the delta districts. Accordingly, it was decided to combine Mayiladuthurai – Dindigul train 16847/16848 and Madurai – Sengottai train 06665/06662 into a single train.
Yesterday Diwali to Mayiladuthurai – Sengotthai express train service (car number -16847) started from Mayladuthurai at 11.30 am and reached Sengottaya at 09.30 pm. Sengottai – Mayiladuthurai express train (16848) is expected to leave Sengottai at 07.00 am today and reach Mayiladuthurai at 05.10 pm in the opposite direction. the
These trains go to Kutthalam, Aduthurai, Kumbakonam, Papanasam, Thanjavur, Boothalur, Tiruverumpur Manjathidal, Trichy, Manaparai, Vayambatti, Dindigul, Kodaikanal Road, Madurai, Thiruparangunram, Thirumangalam, Gallikudi, Virudhunagar, Thiruthangal, Sivakasi, Srivilliputhur, Rajapalayam, Sankaran Kovil, Bambakovil. It stops at Market, Kadayanallur, Tenkasi railway stations.
Currently these trains are operated with 14 coaches. Notably, this train service connecting Delta districts and Southern districts was operated on the same route 25 years ago. But while the service was suspended, the Mayiladuthurai-Sengottai express train service has been restarted after 25 years following the demand of the public and passengers from various walks of life.
Due to this the people of Delta district and the people of South district are very happy. Also Kadayanallur assembly member Krishnamurali, DMK City Secretary Rahim, Train Passenger Welfare Association and many AIADMK and DMK party officials participated in the inauguration ceremony and started the train service by waving the flag.
Subsequently, to celebrate the resumption of the service after 25 years, passengers, loco pilots and members of the public were treated to sweets. Passengers are delighted now that the Sengottai – Mayiladuthurai train connects Tanjore with Tenkasi, the setting of the on-screen historical epic ‘Ponniyin Selvan’. The Sengottai – Mayiladuthurai train route is full of historic temples and tourist spots.
Waterfalls and tourist attractions around Red Fort, Thenkasi Kashi Viswanath Temple built by Parakrama Pandyan, Sankaranarayana Swamy Temple, Srivilliputtur Andal Temple, Tiruparangunram Murugan Temple, Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Kodaikanal Road, Dindigul Descend Palani Murugan Temple, Trichy Hill Fort and Tourist Attractions, Thanjavur This train extension has caused great joy among the passengers as there are various special towns such as the temple, the temples around Kumbakonam, the spiritual places near Mayiladuthurai and Sengottai Mayiladuthurai.
The Antiyothaya train, which had already been announced during the day from Sengottai to Tambaram via Delta districts, was abandoned. People now consider the mini Antiodhya train to connect Delta districts during day time. There is a fare of 150 rupees from Red Fort to Mayiladuthurai.
25 years ago the Chennai-Sengottai passenger train was of great importance on the main line railway line. This train was stopped 25 years ago for conversion of meter gauge railway lines to broad gauge. Chennai – Thanjai – Trichy – Madurai – Rajapalayam – Tenkasi – route was partially converted into broad gauge railway, so this train did not run for twenty five years.
As this route has now been completely converted into a broad gauge railway, an express train has been run from Mayiladuthurai to Sengottai from today.