Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the Tirunelveli ? Chennai Vande Bharat Express Train via video conference. It was mentioned that the first train would depart from Tirunelveli Junction around noon and was expected to reach the capital city in approximately 7.5 hours. It was also noted that the train would arrive at its starting location for mandatory trials before the launch event. Additionally, Southern Railway was set to receive two more Vande Bharat trains.
After its initial run, it was anticipated that the Tirunelveli-Chennai train would typically leave at 6 am and arrive in Chennai around 1:50 pm. The return journey was set to commence at 2:50 pm on all days except Tuesdays from the state capital. According to reports, the locomotive would operate at an average speed of 83.30 km per hour and make stops at Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, and Tiruchi.
Details regarding fare prices had not been provided, and the total number of coaches was expected to vary based on demand.
It was mentioned that this would be Tamil Nadu's third Vande Bharat route, following the launch of the Chennai-Mysuru Vande Bharat Express in November of the previous year and subsequently the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat train. The reports came shortly after officials confirmed that the first Vande Metro would be introduced in January of the following year, followed by the Vande Bharat sleeper train in March 2024.
