Southern Railway alters Chennai train schedules amid station redevelopment

Southern Railway announced extensive changes to long‑distance services operating from MGR Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore stations in early August 2026. Departures of the Vivek Express, Superfast Mail and Shalimar Express were shifted by several hours, and the Tiruchirappalli‑Chennai Egmore Cholan Superfast Express will be diverted via Cuddalore Port, Vriddhachalam and Tiruchirappalli on multiple dates, skipping several intermediate stops while adding new halts.

In addition, nine express trains will no longer originate or terminate at Chennai Egmore, operating instead from Tambaram and Mambalam while the station undergoes redevelopment. Three EMU services from Chennai Beach to Tambaram are fully cancelled and several others partially cancelled, affecting suburban commuters. The temporary adjustments run until 20 August, after which normal operations are expected to resume.