PM Modi to flag off 5 new trains on Wednesday: Check full list and routes
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to flag off five new train services on Wednesday, including two high-speed Amrit Bharat Express trains, marking a significant expansion of Southern India’s rail connectivity to the industrial and spiritual heartlands of the country.
The ceremony is part of a broader rollout of infrastructure projects across Tamil Nadu and Kerala valued at over ₹16,450 crore.
New Industrial and Coastal Links
The centrepiece of the announcement is the introduction of the Podanur-Dhanbad Amrit Bharat Express. This service creates a first-of-its-kind direct link between the industrial manufacturing hub of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and the coal and steel centres of Jharkhand in Eastern India. Rail officials say the route is designed to support the large migrant workforce moving between these industrial belts.
Additionally, the Nagercoil-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express will begin operations, connecting the Kanyakumari coast and parts of Kerala with Telangana. The route is expected to thread through more than 20 districts across three states, providing an affordable long-distance travel option.
Pilgrimage and Regional Expansion
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate several services aimed at religious tourism and coastal travel:
- Rameswaram-Mangaluru Express: A weekly service linking the temple town of Rameswaram with coastal Karnataka.
- Tirunelveli-Mangaluru Express: A direct route connecting Southern Tamil Nadu to North Kerala and Karnataka.
- Mayiladuthurai-Karaikkudi Passenger: A new service enhancing local connectivity within Tamil Nadu.
Modernizing Infrastructure
Beyond the new rolling stock, the government will dedicate several infrastructure upgrades to the nation. In Kerala, three redeveloped stations, Shoranur Junction, Kuttippuram, and Changanassery, will be inaugurated under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, featuring modernised waiting areas and improved passenger amenities.
The Shoranur-Nilambur line electrification project will also be officially dedicated. The 66-kilometre stretch, a historic route originally used for timber transport, now supports faster, eco-friendly electric locomotives, completing 100% electrification for the Palakkad railway division.
Rail officials confirmed that regular commercial operations for the new express services are expected to commence following the inaugural runs.