Advertisement
What really powers the cloud? Behind every Google search, A...
A lot of what defines a home isn’t visible at handover. I...
Private equity has played a significant role in shaping Indi...
Luxury real estate is one of the most talked-about segments ...
Airports play a much bigger role than just enabling travel -...
• Southern Railway introduced 42 new train services during FY 2025-26, including new Amrit Bharat Express and MEMU trains across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
• New long-distance Amrit Bharat trains improved connectivity between southern India and key destinations in eastern and northern India, including New Jalpaiguri and Dhanbad.
• The railway zone expanded commuter connectivity through new MEMU services connecting Salem, Erode, Palakkad, Pollachi, Kollam and Ernakulam.
• Several train services were extended, frequencies increased and additional stoppages introduced to improve passenger accessibility across the network.
• Southern Railway reported originating revenue of INR 13,777.60 crore during FY 2025-26, surpassing its annual target and registering year-on-year growth.
Southern Railway has reported significant progress in passenger connectivity and service expansion during FY 2025-26, with the introduction of new train services, route extensions and enhanced commuter connectivity across southern India. The railway zone expanded its network across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka through a combination of long-distance trains and regional commuter services aimed at improving travel options for passengers.
During the financial year, Southern Railway introduced 42 new train services originating from or terminating within its jurisdiction. This included 23 services linked to Tamil Nadu, 14 connected to Kerala and five serving Karnataka. The additions formed part of Indian Railways' broader effort to strengthen rail connectivity between major cities, regional centres and emerging economic corridors.
One of the key highlights of the year was the rollout of new Amrit Bharat Express services. Southern Railway introduced the New Jalpaiguri–Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express and the New Jalpaiguri–Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express, providing direct rail connectivity between southern India and eastern India. These services are expected to benefit passengers travelling for employment, education, tourism and family visits across multiple states.
The railway zone also launched the Podanur–Dhanbad Amrit Bharat Express, further strengthening links between southern and eastern India. The service improves connectivity between industrial and commercial centres while offering an affordable long-distance travel option for passengers. The introduction of Amrit Bharat trains is part of Indian Railways' strategy to provide modern non-AC train services with improved passenger amenities and operational efficiency.
Apart from long-distance connectivity, Southern Railway focused on strengthening daily commuter transportation through new Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) services. New services such as Salem–Erode MEMU, Palakkad–Pollachi MEMU and Kollam–Ernakulam MEMU were introduced to support short-distance travel and improve mobility within key regional corridors.
These MEMU services are expected to benefit office-goers, students, small business owners and daily travellers by offering frequent and affordable rail connectivity. Several districts across Tamil Nadu and Kerala have witnessed growing commuter demand in recent years, making regional rail services an important component of public transportation.
The railway zone also undertook several operational improvements beyond launching new trains. Existing services were extended to additional destinations, frequencies of selected trains were increased and new stoppages were introduced across various routes. These measures were aimed at improving accessibility for passengers travelling from smaller towns and semi-urban centres while enhancing overall network reach.
According to Southern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer S. N. Narain, the railway zone witnessed notable achievements in train operations and passenger service expansion during the financial year. The focus remained on improving connectivity, increasing service availability and responding to growing passenger demand across the southern region.
Southern Railway's financial performance also reflected the rise in rail travel demand. The zone reported originating revenue of INR 13,777.60 crore during FY 2025-26, exceeding its annual target and recording growth of around 8.84 per cent compared to the previous year. The increase was supported by higher passenger traffic and continued demand for railway services across its network.
The developments come at a time when Indian Railways is investing heavily in infrastructure modernisation, station redevelopment and capacity enhancement projects. Several stations under Southern Railway are also being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which aims to improve passenger amenities, station infrastructure and overall travel experience.
Source PTI
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
