Yes, it’s official now. From 16th June 2023, travellers from Kumily who are travelling to Madurai and Chennai can now board a train closer to home.
The Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting as well as Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri. L Murugan, will flag off the direct train from Chennai to Bodinayakanoor via Madurai and Theni on June 15.
Earlier trains would run only until Theni but the same has now been extended to Bodi, making it easier for residents in the border towns of Tamil Nadu and Kerala to travel by train.
A circular issued by the Southern Railways mentions that “Extension of Train Number 20602 Madurai – MGR Chennai Central express to Bodinayakanur (Tri-Weekly) and Extension of Train Number 06702 Theni – Madurai unreserved express special (daily) to Bodinayakanur will be flagged of by MoS L Murugan on June 15.”
Currently only buses are the option to travel directly to Chennai and the luxury omni buses charge anywhere between 1000 to 2100 rupees for one way travel. This has handicapped the common man who is dependent upon the State Transport buses to travel between Kumily and Madras.
While the fare of the State Transport buses is only about 600 rupees (one way) for an adult there is only one bus which is direct and passengers have to break journey and change buses at multiple points to reach Chennai or Kumily. Moreover the direct bus takes about 16 hours to reach Chennai from Kumily or vice versa.
Therefore, it is expected that the renewed broad gauge line via Theni to Bodinayakanur will now enable easier access for Tourists from Tamil Nadu who would like to visit Kumily / Thekkady, and the people of Kumily who wish to travel to Chennai.
