Southern Railway Introduces India’s First Coast-to-Coast Parcel Express

Southern Railway is set to introduce India’s first coast-to-coast parcel express service connecting Royapuram in Chennai with Mangaluru Central. The new logistics corridor enhances freight mobility across Tamil Nadu and Kerala with a time-tabled, dependable delivery framework tailored for business needs.

Launch Schedule and Route Coverage

The service begins on 12 December, departing Mangaluru Central in the afternoon and reaching Chennai the next day. The return trip starts on 16 December from Royapuram. The weekly operations run on Fridays from Mangaluru and Tuesdays from Chennai. Scheduled halts at key commercial hubs including Salem, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod enable efficient parcel handling.

Key Features of the Dedicated Parcel Train

The train comprises high-capacity parcel vans supported by luggage-cum-brake vans. Each coach is labelled for specific destinations to streamline loading and unloading. The dedicated configuration aims at faster turnaround, reduced congestion, and structured parcel management across stops.

Business and Commodity Support

The service supports a wide mix of commodities such as perishables, white goods, textiles, industrial materials and consumer products. Its predictable transit time assists traders and manufacturers in achieving reliable regional distribution. Real-time monitoring strengthens punctuality and ensures operational transparency.

Exam Oriented Facts

• This is the first coast-to-coast parcel express service introduced by Indian Railways.
• The route connects business centres across Tamil Nadu and Kerala through a weekly schedule.
• High-capacity parcel vans form the core composition of the train.
• Destination-labelled coaches enhance organised logistics handling at each halt.

Regional Logistics Impact

The initiative strengthens Southern Railway’s strategy to boost regional supply chains with cost-effective and modern freight solutions. Its direct connectivity between coastal cities, structured schedules and integrated tracking system are expected to improve parcel mobility and support commerce across the region.