Public welfare organisations espousing the cause of travelling public in Coimbatore have urged the Railways to augment the number of coaches in train No. 20643/44 Vande Bharat Coimbatore-Chennai from eight to 16.

Patronage for the train operated for six days a week, barring Wednesday, has been witnessing a steady increase, reflected in the waiting list.

“Patronage for the train is very heavy; many passengers are unable to obtain confirmed reservations even several days in advance.

The existing coach composition is insufficient to meet the growing passenger demand on this important route,” general secretary of Podanur Train Users’ association N. Subramanian said.

The train has become one of the most preferred modes of transport for business travellers, office-goers, students, tourists and senior citizens because of its speed, comfort, punctuality, and modern facilities, Mr. Subramanian said.

The Kongu Global Forum has also been emphasising on increasing the number of coaches to 16. The train with a waiting time of two-and-a-half hours in Chennai well suits passengers planning quick visits within a day. The train starting from Coimbatore at 6 a.m. reaches Chennai Central at 11.50 a.m. In the return direction, the train departs at 2.15 p.m. to reach Coimbatore Junction at 8.15 p.m.

Augmentation of coaches has become all the more important as the Railways has proposed extending the train to Mettupalayam.

Coimbatore Junction is the originating station for two Vande Bharat Express trains.

The other one is the Coimbatore-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express (No. 20642/20641), with the same eight-coach rake - Seven AC Chair Car coaches and One executive Class coach.

The Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express train, also operated with eight-coach rake for six days a week, except Wednesdays, passes through Coimbatore.

According to Railway data, out of 162 Vande Bharat services, 90 are being operated with 8-coach formations. Out of the rest, 38 services operated with 20-coach formations and 34 services with 16 coaches. Nearly four crore passengers travelled on Vande Bharat services in FY 2025-26, registering a year-on-year growth of approximately 34 per cent, the data states.