MGR Chennai Central–Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express
The 20643/20644 MGR Chennai Central - Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express is India's 13th Vande Bharat Express train, connecting the city of Chennai with Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.[1][2][3]
M.G.R. Chennai Central - Coimbatore Junction Vande Bharat Express | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express, in Tamil Nadu on April 8, 2023. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service type | Vande Bharat Express | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Tamil Nadu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First service | 8 April 2023 (Inaugural run) 9 April 2023 (Commercial run) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current operator(s) | Southern Railways (SR) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Route | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Termini | MGR Chennai Central (MAS) Coimbatore Junction (CBE) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stops | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distance travelled | 495 km (308 mi) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average journey time | 05 hrs 50 mins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service frequency | Six days a week [lower-alpha 1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Train number(s) | 20643 / 20644 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Line(s) used | MGR Chennai Central - SBC Line (till Jolarpettai Jn) Jolarpettai - Coimbatore Line | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-board services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class(es) | AC Chair Car, AC Executive Chair Car | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seating arrangements |
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Sleeping arrangements | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catering facilities | On-board catering | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Observation facilities | Large windows in all coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Entertainment facilities |
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Baggage facilities | Overhead racks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other facilities | Kavach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rolling stock | Mini Vande Bharat 2.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track gauge | Indian gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrification | 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead line | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating speed | 80 km/h (50 mph) (Avg.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average length | 192 metres (630 ft) (08 coaches) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track owner(s) | Indian Railways | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rake maintenance | Coimbatore Jn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Overview
This train is operated by Indian Railways, connecting MGR Chennai Central, Salem Jn, Erode Jn, Tiruppur and Coimbatore Jn. It is currently operated with train numbers 20643/20644 on 6 days a week basis.[4] This train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 April 2023.[5]
Rakes
It is the eleventh 2nd Generation and the second Mini Vande Bharat 2.0 Express train manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) at Perambur, Chennai under the Make in India initiative.[6]
Coach composition
The 20643/20644 MGR Chennai Central - Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express currently has 7 AC Chair Car and 1 Executive Chair Cars coaches. The coaches in aqua colour indicate AC Chair Cars and the coaches in pink colour indicate AC Executive Chair Cars.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
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20643 | ![]() |
C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | E1 | C6 | C7 | ![]() |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
20644 | ![]() |
C6 | E1 | C5 | C4 | C3 | C2 | C1 | ![]() |
Service
The 20643/20644 M.G.R. Chennai Central - Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express will operate 6 days a week, covering a distance of 495 km (308 mi) in a travel time of 5 hrs 50 mins with average speed of 80 km/h. The Maximum Permissible Speed (MPS) is 130 kmph
- Except Wednesdays
Schedule
The schedule of this 20643/20644 M.G.R. Chennai Central - Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express will be confirmed after commercial run:-
MAS - CBE - MAS Vande Bharat Express | ||||
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20643 | Stations | 20644 | ||
Arrival | Departure | Arrival | Departure | |
11:50 | ---- | MGR Chennai Central | ---- | 14:25 |
07:58 | 08:00 | Salem Junction | 17:48 | 17:50 |
07:12 | 07:15 | Erode Junction | 18:32 | 18:35 |
06:35 | 06:37 | Tiruppur | 19:13 | 19:15 |
---- | 06:00 | Coimbatore Junction | 20:15 | ---- |
See also
References
- "Vande Bharat Express Chennai to Coimbatore: PM Modi to flag-off train on April 8". Zee Business. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- "Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express To Be Flagged Off On April 8 | What To Expect". TimesNow. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- Bureau, The Hindu (7 April 2023). "Overwhelming response to Coimbatore-Chennai Vande Bharat express". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- "PM Narendra Modi To Inaugurate Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express On April 8". Zee News. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- Bureau, The Hindu (21 October 2023). "Vande Bharat Express from Coimbatore to Chennai set to complete 200 days on October 25". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- "Frontline railway staff from other states to speak Tamil soon". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 22 March 2023.