SR releases new time table

The Southern Railway, in its new timetable from July 2005, has introduced ten new trains, extended nine trains and allotted 346 new coaches for the year 2005-06.

In addition, the speed of 32 trains has been increased and the frequency of four trains stepped up. The trains whose frequency have increased include train no-6123/6124 Chennai Egmore-Trivandrum Ananapuri Expresses.

It will run daily instead of six days a week. Train no-2661/2662 (Chennai Egmore-Tenkasi Podhigai Expresses) will run from weekly to bi-weekly with revised timing, train no 6603/6604 (Mangalore-Trivandrum Maveli Express from bi-weekly to tri-weekly) and train no - 8003/8004 (Howrah-Yesvantpur) from bi-weekly to daily with diversion via Tirupati, Pakala and Katpadi.

Also train no 6041/6042 (new no 2681/2682) Chennai Central-Alleppey Express Expr and train no 1064/1063 (new no 2164/2163) Chennai Central-Dadar Express have been made superfast.

In spite of the increase of 346 new coaches (144 last year) there will be a shortfall of about 200 coaches.

"On the return freight, we shall have exciting offers so that it can be filled. We shall market it on a large scale," said R Velu, Union minister of state for Railways about the offering of concessional tariffs for freight on trains which run empty on the return leg.