Tirupati-Katpadi MEMU trains cancelled for 8 days starting June 19; Railways releases schedule.

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu: MEMU passenger train services running between Tirupati and Katpadi will remain completely canceled for a total of 8 days on different dates from June 19. Chennai Railway Division issued an official press release in this regard on Friday and informed the passengers.

According to Railways, rail line and technical maintenance work is being done in Tirupati-Katpadi section. Due to this reason, train operations will be affected on many dates. The dates on which services have been canceled include June 19, 22, 26, 29 and July 3, 6, 10 and 13.

These days, both MEMU passenger trains running between Tirupati and Katpadi will remain completely closed. Trains leaving Tirupati at 6:40 am and 10:35 am and trains leaving Katpadi for Tirupati at 5:15 pm and 7:25 pm will not operate on all these scheduled dates. Railways has clarified that this temporary cancellation is being done only due to maintenance work, so that railway operations can be made more safe and smooth in future.

Keeping in mind the convenience of passengers, Railways has also announced partial cancellations and diversions. Under this, express train number 16854 running between Villupuram and Tirupati will end its journey at Katpadi station on the scheduled dates. This train will not go further till Tirupati.

Similarly, changes have been made in the operation of train number 16853 running in the return direction. This train will not depart from Tirupati, but will start its journey from Katpadi station at 1:30 pm and reach Villupuram. Due to this change, passengers between Tirupati and Katpadi will have to make alternative arrangements.

Railway officials said that this decision has been taken keeping in mind the safety of passengers and the strength of the rail network. After the completion of the maintenance work, the operation of trains on this route will be restored normally.

Chennai Railway Division has appealed to passengers to confirm the status of their train before travelling, to avoid any inconvenience. Railways has also said that information about temporary changes will be updated from time to time.

This decision may cause inconvenience to regular passengers for a few days, but Railways says that this action is necessary for safe and better services in the long run.