Southern Railway has announced changes in the pattern of train services in the Madurai Division for January 2026 due to the approval of a Fixed Time Corridor Block. The block will be in force on multiple dates throughout the month, resulting in the diversion of several long-distance trains and the rescheduling of one service.
The changes have been introduced to facilitate infrastructure and maintenance works in the division, impacting trains passing through the Madurai section on specific days.
Multiple trains diverted on specific January dates
Train No. 16128 Guruvayur Express, leaving Guruvayur at 23.15 hrs, will be diverted on January 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29 and 30, 2026. The train will operate via Virudunagar, Manamadurai, Karaikkudi and Tiruchchirappalli, skipping stoppages at Madurai, Sholavandan, Kodaikanal Road, Dindigul and Manapparai. Additional stoppages will be provided at Aruppukkottai, Manamadurai, Sivaganga, Karaikkudi and Pudukkottai.
Train No. 16352 Nagercoil–Mumbai CSMT Express will be diverted on January 4, 8, 11, 14, 18, 22, 25 and 29, 2026. During these journeys, the train will skip stoppages at Madurai and Dindigul and will run via Virudunagar, Manamadurai, Karaikkudi and Tiruchchirappalli, with additional halts at Aruppukkottai, Manamadurai, Sivaganga, Karaikkudi and Pudukkottai.
Train No. 12666 Kanniyakumari–Howrah Superfast Express will be diverted on January 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2026, running via Virudunagar, Manamadurai, Karaikkudi and Tiruchchirappalli. The train will skip stoppages at Madurai, Kodaikanal Road and Dindigul, while additional stops will be provided at Aruppukkottai, Manamadurai, Sivaganga, Karaikkudi and Pudukkottai.
Train No. 07229 Kanniyakumari–Hyderabad Special will run on diverted routes on January 2, 9, 23 and 30, 2026. It will operate via Virudunagar, Manamadurai, Karaikkudi and Dindigul, skipping Madurai and Kodaikanal Road, with additional stoppages at Aruppukkottai, Manamadurai, Sivaganga, Karaikkudi and Pudukkottai.
One train rescheduled, passengers advised to check schedules
Train No. 16340 Nagercoil–Mumbai CSMT Express will be diverted on January 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 19, 20, 23, 27 and 30, 2026. The train will skip Madurai, Kodaikanal Road and Dindigul, and will run via Virudunagar, Manamadurai, Karaikkudi and Tiruchchirappalli, with additional stoppages at Aruppukkottai, Manamadurai, Sivaganga, Karaikkudi, Pudukkottai and Tiruchchirappalli.
In addition, Train No. 22631 Madurai–Bikaner Express, scheduled to depart on January 8, 2026, will be rescheduled by 25 minutes.
Passengers travelling on the affected dates have been advised to check updated train schedules and routing details on NTES or the IRCTC website and mobile application before commencing their journey.