Southern Railway has announced a series of full and partial train cancellations on June 16 and 18 due to scheduled engineering works in the Arakkonam–Jolarpet section. The move comes as part of essential infrastructure upgrades aimed at enhancing operational safety and efficiency across this critical corridor.
The signal and line block, effective between 9:00 PM and 12:30 AM on both days, will facilitate planned maintenance and modernisation of railway assets. Key among the services affected are the Tirupati–Katpadi MEMU passenger trains, which are a lifeline for daily commuters between the two religious and commercial hubs. Train number 67209, which was scheduled to depart from Katpadi at 9:10 PM, will be fully cancelled on both days. Similarly, train number 67210, departing from Tirupati at 7:10 PM, will also remain suspended during the maintenance period. The disruption is expected to inconvenience hundreds of daily passengers, especially those who rely on late evening services for work and pilgrimage-related travel.
Other MEMU trains affected include train number 66033, operating between Chennai Beach and Tiruvannamalai. This service, scheduled to leave at 6:00 PM, will also not operate on June 16. Following that, its return service—train number 66034 from Tiruvannamalai to Tambaram—scheduled to depart at 4:30 AM on June 17 and 18, will also be suspended. In addition to the full train cancellations, partial cancellations have also been announced for select services. Train number 66057, which operates between Arakkonam and Katpadi and is scheduled to depart at 9:00 PM on both June 16 and 18, will now only run up to Sevur station. Another affected route is the Villupuram–Katpadi MEMU, train number 66026, which typically leaves Villupuram at 7:10 PM. This service will be short-terminated at Vellore.
Railway officials have confirmed that these disruptions are temporary and necessary to allow uninterrupted engineering work on tracks, signals, and overhead equipment. Such maintenance blocks are routine but critical, as they help prevent major service disruptions during regular operational hours. The railways have assured passengers that normal schedules will resume immediately after the completion of the maintenance window. Commuters have been strongly advised to consult official railway sources such as the National Train Enquiry System (NTES), the IRCTC mobile app, or the official Southern Railway website for the most accurate and updated train timings. Officials caution passengers not to depend on third-party apps or private websites that may not reflect real-time schedule changes. With many passengers relying on MEMU trains for affordable and time-sensitive travel, misinformation could cause unnecessary hardship.
These train suspensions are also part of Southern Railway’s broader effort to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of its services. In line with India’s vision for net-zero emissions and smarter infrastructure, routine track maintenance and signalling upgrades are viewed as essential interventions. They not only increase passenger safety and reduce the risk of derailments but also improve energy efficiency by supporting the smoother operation of electric trains. While the cancellations may inconvenience many, railway officials have appealed for the public’s cooperation. They have reiterated the need to strike a balance between operational continuity and infrastructure safety. With passenger volumes increasing in southern India, particularly in the Tamil Nadu–Andhra Pradesh belt, maintaining robust rail infrastructure remains a strategic priority.
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