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Thursday, March 19, 2026

Chennai–Velankanni to get first full-rake daily express train

Representative imageFILE photo | Express

Updated on:

17 Mar 2026, 8:18 am

CHENNAI: Nearly 15 years after the Nagapattinam–Velankanni (10 km) metre-gauge line was converted into broad gauge, the Velankanni Basilica — one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in the delta districts — will receive a full-rake daily express train from Chennai starting May 20.

The existing 23-coach LHB rake of the Tambaram–Karaikal Express, which currently operates via Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam, will be diverted to terminate at Velankanni through the Karaikal–Peralam railway line, with a stoppage at Thirunallar, another prominent pilgrimage centre, according to an order issued by Southern Railway on Saturday.

The diversion will eliminate locomotive reversals at Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur stations, reducing travel time by about 30 minutes. This will also become the first full-rake express train to operate between Chennai and Velankanni, improving access for pilgrims visiting the basilica.

The Tambaram–Velankanni Express will depart Tambaram at 9.30 pm, while the return service will leave Velankanni at 9.50 pm. Services in both directions will commence on May 20.

Passengers travelling to Velankanni had earlier relied on slip coaches attached to the Chennai–Karaikal Express between 2013 and 2022. However, the service was suspended multiple times in 2015, 2016 and 2018 due to operational issues, and was eventually withdrawn in 2022. Slip coaches refer to a system in which six or seven coaches are detached from a train and diverted to another destination with a separate locomotive, while the remaining coaches continue to the original destination.

Railway officials said the diversion via the Peralam–Karaikal line would provide a direct service to Velankanni and increase the train’s carrying capacity by nearly 200%, easing congestion. The 23.5-km broad-gauge Karaikal–Peralam line was opened for passenger operations in August last year. The Tambaram–Velankanni Express will run via Villupuram, Cuddalore Port, Mayiladuthurai, Peralam, Karaikal, Nagore and Nagapattinam.

At present, pilgrims travelling on the Chennai Egmore–Karaikal Kamban Express have to get down at Nagapattinam around 3.40 am and board a DEMU service to reach Velankanni. The new service is expected to remove this inconvenience.

Route

Chengalpattu

Villupuram

Cuddalore Port

Chidambaram

Mayiladuthurai

Peralam

Karaikal

Nagore

Nagapattinam

8th Pay Commission extends feedback deadline to 31 March: What it means for your salary, pension and allowances

The 8th Pay Commission questionnaire deadline has been extended to 31 March 2026 for employee feedback on pay, pensions and allowances, ensuring comprehensive stakeholder input before final recommendations.

Shivam Shukla

Updated18 Mar 2026, 03:58 PM IST

The 8th Pay Commission questionnaire deadline has been extended to March 31, 2026 for pay revision feedback.(Pixabay)

In an important development, the 8th Pay Commission has extended the deadline for submitting responses to its 18-point questionnaire to 31 March 2026. The extension is intended to give central government employees, pensioners and other stakeholders more time to participate in the consultation process and share their views.

The extension follows requests from employee groups seeking additional time to provide considered feedback. The questionnaire is a key step in finalising recommendations on pay, pensions, allowances and service conditions, which will impact millions of beneficiaries.

What is the 8th Pay Commission?

The 8th Pay Commission is a government-appointed body tasked with reviewing and recommending changes to salary structures, pensions, allowances and overall service conditions of central government employees

Typically, pay commissions are constituted every 10 years to align government compensation with economic realities, inflation and administrative requirements.

When was it introduced?

The Union Cabinet approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission in January 2025. Its recommendations are expected to be implemented from 1 January 2026, in line with the standard 10-year revision cycle.

On 28 October 2025, the Cabinet approved the commission's Terms of Reference. As per the official notification, it will be a temporary body comprising a chairperson, one part-time member and a member-secretary.

The commission is expected to submit its report within 18 months of its constitution and may also submit an interim report if required.

Chairman and current status

The 8th Pay Commission is chaired by Justice Ranjan Prakash Desai. It is currently in the consultation phase, gathering inputs from various stakeholders before finalising its recommendations.

What are the Terms of Reference

The Commission has been mandated to:

Carefully review pay, allowances, and pension structures.

Consider national economic conditions and ensure fiscal prudence.

Ensure adequate resources remain for welfare and development expenditure.

Analyse the impact on state finances and take a proactive approach.

Compare compensation with public-sector undertakings and private-sector benchmarks.

Key questionnaire details

The 18-point questionnaire is designed to gather input and ideas on salary revisions, allowances, pensions, and service conditions. It is open to employees, pensioners, unions, and other stakeholders.

Furthermore, it includes a final open-ended section allowing respondents to provide additional suggestions or raise issues beyond the structured questions, ensuring comprehensive feedback. For more details, you can check the following link: https://8cpc.gov.in/

Why this matters

With the deadline now extended to 31 March 2026, stakeholders and associated participants have a crucial opportunity to share their views and make a difference to the overall process. A process that will have a direct impact on the lives and well-being of millions of citizens. Meaningful participation in this case will help ensure a well-thought-out, practical and forward-looking decision.