Madurai–Tirunelveli line

The Madurai–Tirunelveli Line is a railway line connecting the cities of Madurai, Virudhunagar and Tirunelveli in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. The line was inaugurated on 1 January 1876.[1] This railway is under control of Southern Railways. It covers 157.1 km. The line covers the districts of Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Viruthunagar and Madurai. The speed limit for most of this rail is 100 km/h.

Madurai–Tirunelveli Line
Madurai Railway Station
Overview
Native nameமதுரை – திருநெல்வேலி ரயில் பாதை
StatusOperational
OwnerSouthern Railways
LocaleTamil Nadu
Termini
  • Tirunelveli
  • Madurai
Connecting lines
  • Madurai Jn – Virudhunagar Jn
  • Madurai Jn – Manamadurai Jn
  • Bodinayakkanur – Madurai Jn
  • Dindigul Jn – Madurai Jn
Stations18
WebsiteSouthern Railway
Service
TypeRegional Line
Operator(s)Madurai Division
Rolling stockWAP1, WAP4, WAP7, WDP-3, WDP4D, WDG4, WDG3, WAG9
History
Opened1 January 1876
Technical
Track length157.1 km (97.6 mi)
Number of tracks1
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
ElectrificationOverhead catenary
Operating speed100 km/h (62 mph)
SignallingThree-aspect Colour-Light signalling (3CL)
Route map
km
Up arrow to Dindigul Junction
0
 Madurai Junction
 Left arrow to Bodinayakkanur
LowerRight arrow to Manamadurai Junction
7
 Tirupparankundram
18
 Tirumangalam
32
 Kalligudi
 UpperRight arrow to Manamadurai Junction
43
 Virudhunagar Junction
 Left arrow to Tenkasi Junction
56
 Tulukapati
71
 Satur
92
 Kovilpatti
114
 Kadambur
128
 Vanchi Maniyachchi Junction
 Right arrow to Tuticorin
135
 Naraikkinar
143
 Gangaikondan
150
 Talaiyuthu
157
 Tirunelveli Junction
 Left arrow to Tenkasi Junction
 Right arrow to Tiruchendur
 Down arrow to Nagercoil Junction

History

Initially this line was inaugurated on 1 January 1876 as Maniyachchi Junction - Tirunelvei in metre-gauge.[2] The conversion from meter gauge to broad gauge completed on 4 August 1981. The gauge conversion process was performed by retaining the old meter-gauge line and constructing the new line on the other side to avoid extended cancellation of service.

The electrification process for the line started in January 2010 and was completed in January 2015. The line has been fully electrified since January 3, 2015.

The doubling process of Madurai to Tirunelveli line was started in January 2018. Doubling of Madurai–Tirunelveli line was completed in March 2023.

Stations
Tirunelveli Railway Station

There are a total of 18 stations in the route, some of the most important being Madurai Junction,Virudhunagar Junction, Sattur, Kovilpatti, and Tirunelveli Junction.[3]

S.No Station Station

Code

 Old

Category

 New

Category

1 Madurai Jn MDU A1 NSG2
2 Tirupparankundram TDN D NSG5
3 Tirumangalam TMQ D NSG5
4 Kalligudi KGD E NSG6
5 Virudunagar Jn VPT A NSG4
6 Tulukapati TY E NSG6
7 Satur SRT B NSG5
8 Kovilpatti CVP A NSG4
9 Kadambur KDU E NSG6
10 Vanchi Maniyachchi Jn MEJ D NSG5
11 Naraikkinar NRK E NSG6
12 Gangaikondan GDN E NSG6
13 Talaiyuthu TAY E NSG6
14 Tirunelveli Jn TEN A NSG3

The line has been fully electrified on January 3, 2015.

The doubling process of Madurai to Tirunelveli line was started in January 2018. Doubling of Madurai–Tirunelveli line was completed in March 2023.

References
  1. Arockiaraj, J. (4 January 2015). "Electric trains go beyond Madurai; to cut travel time | Madurai News – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  2. "Indian Railways history". Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  3. "Annual originating passengers & earnings for the year 2017–18" (PDF). Southern Railways. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
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