: Factoring in robust passenger patronage, the Southern Railway has added an AC three-tier coach, to the Mettupalayam-Tirunvelveli special weekly train.
As per the new composition, the train will have two AC 3-tier LHB coaches. With the addition, there will be 16 LHB coaches. The rest comprise one AC 2-Tier, one AC 3-Tier Economy, six Sleeper Class, four General Second Class, one luggage/generator/brake van) coach, and a sitting-cum-luggage rake and divyangjan coach.
Passengers have been urging the Railways to convert the weekly special train into a permanent daily service.
The train was introduced as a special service during April 2022 to clear extra summer rush. Since then, the service has been repeatedly extended, providing a fillip to tourism in Ooty and Courtallam.
As per the last announcement on the extension of the special train at the start of this month, the Southern Railway had informed that the weekly-special will be operated till January 25, 2026.
