Vande Bharat’s premium promise derails in Madurai with delays

Madurai: Punctuality in Indian Railways, especially at intermediate stations, is often considered with a degree of flexibility, where delays are the norm due to operational constraints and congested lines. But when it comes to premium services like the Vande Bharat expresses, which are promoted as a premium product, expectations run high among the passengers, who hope that their train reaches their destination point well in time. But data compiled over the last one year on routes serving Madurai from Bengaluru and Chennai, shows that VB trains have been recording average delays ranging from 15 to 17 minutes, with delays over the last week reaching 20 minutes.

According to official data, the Chennai–Tirunelveli Vande Bharat Express (20665) arrived at Madurai with a delay of more than 15 minutes on 114 of its 312 trips during the last one year. On October 11, 2025, the train recorded its highest delay at Madurai, arriving 83 minutes behind schedule.

Similarly, the Chennai–Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express (20627) reached Madurai with delays exceeding 15 minutes on nearly one-third of its 313 trips during the last year. The train recorded its highest delay on June 28, 2025, when it reached Madurai 137 minutes behind schedule.

Passengers point out that such delays reduce the time advantage offered by Vande Bharat, bringing its end-to-end travel time closer to services such as Tejas Express and, on some occasions, even Vaigai Express, despite the higher fare charged for the premium train.

Railway officials attribute part of the delay on the Chennai-bound stretch to cattle crossings between Villupuram and Chennai, which force trains to slow down at several locations. Fencing work is under way on vulnerable sections to address the issue. On the Madurai–Bengaluru route, officials said delays are often linked to track and signalling works as well as operational halts for train crossings involving north-bound services.

“Delays at intermediate stations do not necessarily translate into late arrivals at the final destination, as train crews attempt to recover lost time en route,” said a railway official, adding that Vande Bharat services often make up delays after crossing Madurai and heading further south towards Tirunelveli or Nagercoil, where operational constraints are fewer, helping maintain punctual arrivals at destination stations.

Passengers say food quality has emerged as another concern on Vande Bharat services. N Muralidharan, who frequently travels between Chennai and Tirunelveli, said, "The dal and sambar are watery, the rotis are often too tough for senior citizens," he said, adding that complaints rarely receive a response.

A L Selvam, a regular traveller, said, "Much of the menu is centred on North Indian dishes that do not match local tastes.”

P Edward Jeni of the Kanyakumari District Rail Passengers Association alleged that inadequate monitoring had resulted in a decline in quality. "Once catering is handed over to contractors, maintaining consistency becomes important," he said.