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Introduction of New Trains between Madurai-Theni

Introduction of New Trains between Madurai-Theni

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

THE GENERAL MANAGER (OPTG)
SOUTHERN RAILWAY / CHENNAI

FAX / POST COPY ISSUED ON 19.04.2025

COPY TO: CPTM
SR/ CHENNAI

NO.2025/CHG/ 16/SR/15 (.) CONNECT CPTM SR’S LETTER NO. T.454 / TT / REVISION / 2025-22 DATED 11.04.2025 REGARDING INTRODUCTION OF TRAINS FROM MADURAI TO ANDIPATTI ON THE NEWLY GAUGE CONVERTED MADURAI – BODINAYAKANUR AND BOARD’S MESSAGE NO. A-1902 / 14 / 2025- PUNCTUALITY CELL-PART (4) DATED 16.03.2025 INTER-ALIA CONVEYING APPROVAL FOR RUNNING OF NEW SERVICES BETWEEN MADURAI AND ANDIPATTI (.) BOARD APPROVES THE PROPOSAL OF SOUTHERN RAILWAY FOR EXTENSION OF PASSENGER TRAIN BETWEEN ANDIPATTI AND TENI AS DETAILED BELOW, FROM AN EARLY CONVENIENT DATE (.)

MADURAI to  TENI PASSENGER STATION TENI to MADURAI PASSENGER
08.30 D MADURAI A 19.35
08.44 / 08.45 A / D VADAPALAN JI (H) A / D 19.04 / 19.05
09.03 / 09.05 A / D USILAMPATTI A / D 18.45 / 18.47
09.18 / 09.20 A / D ANDIPATTI A / D 18.28 / 18.30
09.35 A TENI D 18.15
COMPOSITION GS-5, SLR-2
PRIMARY MAINTENANCE MADURAI, PFTR: USILAMPATTI

ENSURE COMPLIANCE AND ACTION ACCORDINGLY (.)
KUMAR / RAILWAYS (.)

sd/-
(VIVEK KUMAR SINHA)
DY. DIRECTOR / COACHING
RAILWAY BOARD

Source: https://indianrailways.gov.in/

Here’s the latest and most authoritative overview of the new Madurai–Theni train services introduced by Indian Railways in 2022:


🚆 Madurai ↔ Theni New Train Service (From May 27, 2025)

🔹 Train Nos. 06701 / 06702 – Unreserved Express Special (Daily)

  • 06701 (Madurai → Theni)
    • Departs Madurai at 08:30 hrs
    • Stops at Vadapalanji (~08:44 hrs), Usilampatti (~09:04 hrs), Andipatti (~09:19 hrs)
    • Arrives at Theni at ~09:35 hrs
    • Journey duration: ~1 hour 5 min over 75 km of newly gauge-converted Broad Gauge track
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  • 06702 (Theni → Madurai)
    • Departs Theni at 18:15 hrs, halts at Andipatti (~18:28 hrs), Usilampatti (~18:46 hrs), Vadapalanji (~19:04 hrs)
    • Arrives at Madurai at ~19:35 hrs
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  • This service was introduced as part of the gauge conversion and line reopening between Madurai and Theni—a project costing ₹506 crore and flagged off on May 26, 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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  • Coach composition: 10 General Second Class coaches + 2 Seating-cum-Luggage Rakes (SLR). Entirely unreserved.
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📋 Summary at a Glance

Direction Train No. Departure Arrival Duration Intermediate Stops
Madurai → Theni 06701 08:30 hrs ~09:35 hrs ~1 h 05 min Vadapalanji, Usilampatti, Andipatti
Theni → Madurai 06702 18:15 hrs ~19:35 hrs ~1 h 20 min* Andipatti, Usilampatti, Vadapalanji

* Slightly extended return journey due to scheduling.


🧭 Context & Background

  • This marks the first-ever daily train service between Madurai and Theni district in over 12 years (the metre-gauge link was dismantled in December 2025).
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  • The line reopened on 31 March 2025, with full CRS inspection and inauguration by end-May.
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  • Train times were adjusted slightly in late May 2025—moving departure from Madurai to 08:05 hrs, and increasing journey time to ~1 h 25 min. However, later sources reaffirm return to original ~65-minute run.
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✅ Key Travel Tips

  • Only Daily Unreserved Option: 06701/06702 run daily without reservation, ideal for local commuters and short-distance travel.
  • Ticketing: Single-journey tickets can be purchased at station counters or UTS app. No reservations.
  • Journey Time: Rapid (~65 mins) compared to road travel (~90 mins).
  • Future Prospects: Passenger feedback suggests demand for direct Madurai–Chennai links from Theni via extending existing services such as the Chennai–Madurai Express. This extension (to Bodinayakanur) began in June 2025.
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📌 You Might Also Be Interested In

  • Connections from Bodinayakanur (Bodi) via Theni to Chennai (train 20601/20602)—daily tri‑weekly service introduced in June 2025.
  • Revised schedules of other trains in the region (e.g., Chennai–Bodi Superfast) effective from July 11, 2025.
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Would you like the hault-per-halt timetable, pricing details, or onward travel options from Theni/Bodi toward Chennai or other destinations? I’d be happy to assist!

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