We have traveled in 16106 Chendur express on 17 .2.2020 in S3 from Kovilpatti to Kumbakonam.
Even though late by an hour at Kovilpatti, the train reached Kumbakonam correct time around 4.45 am on 18.2.2020.
We visited Relative house, 3 main temples , Kumbeswarar Giri sirs financial office and attended Kumbakonam Railway Station First platform SWAMY VIVEGANANDHA portrait Garlading function jointly arranged by Mr.Muruganandham, Station Master ,Kumbakonam Mr.Thaymanavar Commercial and Mr.Giri ,Trichy DRUCC senior member at 6 pm .
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more... We catched the same Chendur Express on 18.2.2020 in Kumbakonam RS to Kovilpatti.
16105 Chendur express arrived Kumbakonam around 10.15 pm (just late by 30 minute) .
But Chendur express arrived Madurai correct time and halt at Madurai around an hour ( 2.45am to 3.45am ) .
3 numbers of South bound Super Fast expresses are overtaken at Madurai junction, since Chendur express is operated as Ordinary Express.
Both up and down Chendur expresses takes extra running time around an hour in both Tirunelveli Trichy section and Trichy - Kumbakonam - Cuddalore - Villuppuram sections.
Most of the Chendur travelling passengers are blaming an hour detention at Madurai jn and it takes extra time of 3 hours to reach Madurai via main line.
So i requested Madurai division DRM and SR GM that Chendur expresses have to be recommended as Super Fast Expresses with possible reduction of running time around 2 to 2.5 hours.
Earlier 2 hours of advance arrival in Chennai Egmore and delayed start by 2 hour at Egmore may be recommended at with upgradation as SF .
These adanced arrival and delayed starts of Chendur SF are immensely benefitted to all the stakeholders. IR received extra revenue ₹15 as SF surcharges from all the passengers .
Passengers shall be benefitted by 2 hours of reduced running time.
The patronage also ever increased in this train, since very poor devotee people are utilized Sleeper class coaches to visit Chendur Murugan Temple for their religious vows.
Moreover requested to augment 3 numbers of 3AC coaches ( presently one number of 3 AC coach is available) and 3 numbers of Sleeper coaches ( presently 9 Sleeper coaches) .
Presently operated with 18 coaches only and so 3 numbers of Sleeper and 3 Nos of 3 Tier AC coaches are possible one.
This is the convenient only one daily Over Night Express to the Delta Districts from the southern districts.
Most of the time pooled quota berths are not available for travelling public from Kovilpatti / Virudhunagar to Kumbakonam / Mayiladuthurai jn / Chidambaram / Cuddalore jn because of very few berths are allotted as pooled quota.
Any how we ( Tirunelveli & Kovilpatti / Virudhunagar area people) booked reserved ticket from Tirunelveli Chengalpattu and disembarked / embarked in all the major delta district towns.
This is the dedicated train to Chennai Egmore in Tiruchendur - Tirunelveli section and operated via mainline just 64 km extra running kilometers over chord line.
So,It may be taken extra running time around an hour and fifteen minutes over SF operated via chord line from Tirunelveli - Chennai Egmore as 12.25 hour ( Nellai running time 11.10 + 1.15 via Mainline extra 64 km =12.25 hour)
So requedted that The Chendur expresses have to be UPGRADED as SUPER FAST and avoid any unnecessary and frustrated over taken by other trains.
Chendur reqular passengers and Devotees are mostly beneficial by this possible running time reduction .
Ptesently Chendur express takes 14.55 hours from Chennai Egmore to Tirunelveli shall be reduced to possible 12.25 hour.
Both Chendur ONT journey ( Kovilpatti Kumbakonam) are very comfortable and slept well with alarams .
The comfort rooms/ wash basins are maintained well with water supply in both up and down trains with ICF coaches.
Our Kovilpatti PRS reservation officials ever guided the passenger very well and patiently to obtain convenient Sleeper /AC jouney tickets by passenger.