Rail users have renewed calls for the doubling of the Thanjavur-Villupuram single line section, saying utilisation has risen above 120 per cent. They noted that a preliminary passenger survey for doubling the 193 km Thanjavur-Villupuram stretch was approved in 2019, but the proposal has advanced little since then. The appeal was framed as a response to persistent congestion and operational bottlenecks on the route.

According to the Thanjavur District Railway Users Association, the 149-year-old Thanjavur-Villupuram main line contributes nearly 30 per cent of the ticket revenue of the Tiruchy railway division. Despite severe traffic constraints, Southern Railway continues to operate several trains through the main line to provide direct connectivity across regions. The section is also a major feeder route for branch lines such as Mayiladuthurai-Agasthiyampalli and Mannargudi, Peralam-Karaikal and Tiruturaipoondi-Karaikudi, and it provides links to Pattukottai and Velankanni.

In a recent letter to the union railway minister, A Giri, secretary of the association, said the single track was hindering the introduction of additional services on the main line. He reported that traffic on the Thanjavur-Mayiladuthurai section had peaked during night hours, forcing the railways to plan some special services via Tiruvarur while skipping the congested stretch. The note warned that the present configuration limited operational flexibility and constrained scheduling.

Giri drew attention to the forthcoming Mahamaham festival in 2028 and said that although station redevelopment works were advancing rapidly at Kumbakonam to meet future demand, operating extra trains during the festival would be difficult without multi-tracking of the Thanjavur-Mayiladuthurai section. He urged the union minister to direct Southern Railway authorities to submit the Detailed Project Report for doubling between Thanjavur and Villupuram without delay. The request included a plea for early approval so that track doubling between Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai could be completed in the first phase ahead of the festival.