With the SMVB diversion, would be a good idea to get this extended to Tiruchendur and also do away with the Maniyachi Tiruchendur passenger (a curtailed version of the former Tuticorin-Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur passenger).
This extension won't make much of a difference to the Mumbai-bound traffic. Rather would benefit domestic travelers within Tamil Nadu to get to Tiruchendur during the day (you need to take one of the passenger/slow express trains and have to transit at Tirunelveli).
Getting more out of the train in my view. It runs half empty between Madurai and Tirunelveli. The timings are especially convenient for pilgrims returning from Tiruchendur in the Madurai-Salem stretch.
And in the process, the current Tuticorin-Maniyachi and Maniyachi-Tiruchendur passenger could be given a single run again (by removing the break at MEJ).
Mumbai and Bangalore connection would only be a bonus for Tiruchendur locals, as currently they could just as easily board either this one or the NCJ-CSMT/NCJ-SMVB trains at Tirunelveli if they need to.
Being ICF rake it requires SM as round-trip distance exceeds 3500km at Tirunelveli itself but looks like it is exempted from SM as it returns the same day within 4 hrs. If extended it requires SM change of days which will be a big mess. It has to be alloted LHB first and route changed direct to Tuticorin.
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