In a significant development for rail connectivity in Tamil Nadu, the Union Ministry of Railways has approved a stoppage for the Tirupati-Mannargudi Pamani Express at Panruti station. The move fulfills a long-standing demand of the residents of Panruti in Cuddalore district and marks the third such success for Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary, A Ashvathaman, in leveraging his access to the Union Railway Minister.
The approval was formally communicated via a letter from Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to Ashvathaman. “Kindly refer to our discussion regarding train stoppage at Panruti station for public convenience. You would be pleased to know that stoppage of train no. 17407/17408 Tirupati – Mannargudi Pamani Express at Panruti station has been approved,” the minister’s letter stated.
Thank you so much ji 🙏
There are no words to express my gratitude. The people of Panruti will always remember your service with love and respect 🙏Hon’ble Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw ji, my heartfelt thanks for sanctioning the Tiruppathi–Pamini Express stoppage at… pic.twitter.com/KvlacCr7pd
— Ashvathaman Allimuthu (@asuvathaman) November 24, 2025
The decision has been met with widespread appreciation from the local populace. Ashvathaman extended heartfelt thanks on behalf of the people of Panruti. He emphasized that the new halt would benefit “thousands of daily travellers, students, small traders, and devotees visiting Tirupati.”
This achievement is part of a pattern of successful interventions by the BJP state secretary. In a single day in March 2024, Ashvathaman had presented two petitions to Minister Vaishnaw during his Chennai visit, requesting stops for express trains at Ulundurpettai and Kuthalam. The minister had immediately instructed officials to act, and the Railway Board approved the halts the same night.
The latest approval for Panruti follows a petition submitted by Ashvathaman in September 2024, which was endorsed by 1,000 individuals, urging the halt of express train services at the station.
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