**Subject:** Response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 646 regarding Rail Connectivity between Thoothukudi and Mumbai.
**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Railways' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 646, raised on July 23, 2025, concerning the demand for improved rail connectivity between Thoothukudi and Mumbai. The question specifically inquired about the possibility of extending the Lokmanya Tilak Express (Train No. 11043/11044) to Thoothukudi or introducing a new direct train service.
The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, stated that the Mumbai-Tuticorin sector is currently served by the 19567/19568 Tuticorin-Okha Vivek Express. To further enhance passenger convenience, Indian Railways introduced the 16765/16766 Mettupalayam-Tuticorin Express (bi-weekly) effective July 19, 2024, and extended the 16791/16792 Tirunelveli-Palakkad Palaruvi Express to Tuticorin effective August 15, 2024.
The response also indicates that the introduction of new trains and the extension of existing services are ongoing processes within Indian Railways, contingent upon traffic justification, operational feasibility, and resource availability.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for the country's railway transport.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Kanimozi Karunanidhi: Member of Parliament who raised the question about rail connectivity.
Thoothukudi: A city in Tamil Nadu, India, seeking improved rail connectivity.
Mumbai: A city in Maharashtra, India, connection sought from Thoothukudi.
Lokmanya Tilak Express: A train service, extension of which to Thoothukudi was requested.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Tuticorin Okha Vivek Express: Existing train service operating in Mumbai Tuticorin sector
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 646
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
RAIL CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN THOOTHUKUDI AND MUMBAI
646. SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government is aware of the significant demand for
improved rail connectivity between Thoothukudi and Mumbai by extending
the Lokmanya Tilak Express (Train No. 11043/11044) to Thoothukudi or
introducing a new direct train service;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the expected timeline for the introduction of this service;
and
(d) whether the Government plans to take any other measures to improve rail
connectivity to Thoothukudi and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) At present, Mumbai – Tuticorin sector is being served by
19567/19568 Tuticorin - Okha Vivek Express. To facilitate the passengers of
Tuticorin, Indian Railways have introduced 16765/16766 Mettupalayam-
Tuticorin Express (Bi-weekly) w.e.f 19.07.2024 and extended the service of
16791/16792 Tirunelveli-Palakkad Palaruvi Express upto Tuticorin w.e.f
15.08.2024. Besides, introduction of new trains and extension of train
services are an on-going processes on Indian Railways, subject to traffic
justification, operational feasibility, availability of resources, etc.
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