Passengers travelling on several Southern Railway routes during August 2026 should check their train schedules before starting their journey, as maintenance and safety works across Tiruchchirappalli, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram divisions will affect multiple train services.

The railway has approved Fixed Time Corridor Blocks for infrastructure maintenance, leading to diversions, delays and revised departure timings for several express and superfast trains. While most changes are temporary, they could affect passengers travelling to and from Chennai, Tiruchchirappalli, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Guruvayur, Kerala and eastern India.

Here's a complete list of trains affected.

Chennai Egmore–Tiruchchirappalli Cholan Superfast Express diverted on multiple dates

Train No. 22675 Chennai Egmore–Tiruchchirappalli Cholan Superfast Express, which normally departs Chennai Egmore at 8 am, will operate on different routes on selected days.

On August 5, 12, 14 and 21

The train will run via Cuddalore Port, Vriddhachalam and Tiruchchirappalli.

Stations that will be skipped

  • Chidambaram
  • Sirkazhi
  • Vaithisvarankoil
  • Mayiladuthurai
  • Aduturai
  • Kumbakonam
  • Tanjavur
  • Budalur
  • Tiruverumbur

Additional stoppages

  • Vriddhachalam
  • Ariyalur
  • Lalgudi
  • Srirangam

On August 26 and September 2

The same train will instead be diverted via Villupuram, Vriddhachalam and Tiruchchirappalli.

Stations skipped

  • Panruti
  • Tirupadripulyur
  • Cuddalore Port
  • Chidambaram
  • Sirkazhi
  • Vaithisvarankoil
  • Mayiladuthurai
  • Aduturai
  • Kumbakonam
  • Tanjavur
  • Budalur
  • Tiruverumbur

Additional stoppages

  • Vriddhachalam
  • Ariyalur
  • Lalgudi
  • Srirangam

Jodhpur–Mannargudi Express to face one-hour delay

Train No. 22673 Jodhpur–Mannargudi Express departing Jodhpur at 4.50 pm on August 6, 20 and 27 will be regulated by one hour at a convenient location between Chennai Egmore and Mundiyampakkam.

Tiruchchirappalli–Chennai Cholan Superfast Express rescheduled

Train No. 22676 Tiruchchirappalli–Chennai Egmore Cholan Superfast Express will leave 35 minutes later than its scheduled departure on August 4, 11 and 18.

Instead of 12.10 pm, the train will depart Tiruchchirappalli at 12.45 pm.

Chennai Division maintenance to delay long-distance trains

Southern Railway has also announced delays to several long-distance trains passing through Chennai Division.

TrainDateChange
22648 Thiruvananthapuram North–Korba Superfast ExpressAugust 6Delayed by 2 hours
22642 Shalimar–Thiruvananthapuram Central Superfast ExpressAugust 25Delayed by 1 hour
12839 Howrah–Dr MGR Chennai Central MailAugust 25 & 27Delayed by 1 hour
22644 Patna–Ernakulam Junction ExpressAugust 27Delayed by 1 hour

The trains will be regulated at convenient locations en route.

Chennai Egmore–Guruvayur Express to be delayed on several August dates

Passengers travelling on Train No. 16127 Chennai Egmore–Guruvayur Express should also expect delays due to maintenance work in Thiruvananthapuram Division.

The train, scheduled to leave Chennai Egmore at 10.40 am, will be affected as follows:

DateDelay
August 9 & 1040 minutes
August 11 & 1245 minutes
August 27 & 3130 minutes
August 28, 29, September 1 & 250 minutes

The delays will occur at convenient locations during the journey.

Passengers advised to verify train timings

Passengers travelling on any of the affected routes are advised to verify the latest arrival and departure timings before leaving for the railway station, as diversions and regulated movement could change journey duration on the affected dates.