The widely reported five-hour-35-minute run on Oct 24 covered only Chengalpattu to Sholavandan, not the entire Chennai Egmore–Madurai route. Madurai: A social media post that went viral recently claimed Vaigai Express had matched the speed and travel time of Vande Bharat, Indian Railways’ flagship train, despite costing considerably less. But the comparison is misleading as it presents an exceptional run as routine performance.
Vande Bharat arrives 17 minutes late While Vaigai reaches Madurai eight minutes behind schedule on average. Tejas Express , another premium morning chair-car service, emerges as a more reliable option for reaching Madurai from Chennai, arriving 12 minutes ahead of schedule on average. Despite reaching Dindigul 18 minutes late, it recovers 30 minutes over the final stretch. In contrast, Vande Bharat recovers just five minutes after reaching Dindigul 22 minutes late, finishing 17 minutes behind schedule. All three trains reach Tambaram, Chennai’s southern gateway, between 25 and 27 minutes late. Vande Bharat remains the fastest, completing Chennai–Madurai roughly 80-90 minutes ahead of Vaigai. Upgrades to support 130 kmph operations are under way,” the official added.
Because chennai–Trichy tracks currently permit only 110 kmph, southern Railway official explained that Vande Bharat’s higher operating capability, designed for speeds up to 160 kmph, cannot be fully utilised. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in Madurai Stay updated with the latest Madurai news.
“The train benefits from a relatively generous timetable allowance, with fewer signal interruptions on runs when other train movements do not obstruct its passage,” said a Southern Railway official. Unclean toilets, rusting seat fittings and railings, and declining food quality have become concerns, he said. “Its deterioration is particularly troubling on a corridor where govt-bus availability remains inadequate during peak demand, allowing private operators to charge exorbitant fares,” said resident-activist D Raj from Narimedu from Madurai.
A six-month analysis of running records on this popular corridor reveals that neither Vaigai nor Vande Bharat is immune to delays, although the former maintains better punctuality. The difference becomes significant for passengers planning onward journeys, appointments or pickups. However, the return journey exposes another problem. Transportation activist Mahendra Varman attributed the congestion to trains converging on Chennai during peak operating hours, with signal-controlled movements forcing services to wait for clearance. Overall journey times, however, tell a different story. Its advantage over Tejas is surprisingly narrow: just five minutes towards Madurai and nine minutes towards Chennai. For passengers paying premium fares, that raises questions about the additional time saved. “Curves, restrictive junction layouts and signalling infrastructure limit faster operations. Unfenced stretches also pose risks from cattle and trespassers. Passenger experience presents another concern. Advocate R Srinivasan, who frequently travels between Madurai and Chennai, complained that maintenance standards on Vande Bharat and Tejas had deteriorated. Poor upkeep is not confined to premium trains. Vaigai, despite its importance to southern Tamil Nadu, has increasingly faced complaints of neglect. Download the TOI App.