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{{Short description|Train in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Madurai-Chandigarh Superfast Express
| image = Chd madurai sf.jpg
| caption = Madurai-Chandigarh Superfast Express At [[Mathura Junction railway station]]
| type = [[Superfast Express trains in India|Superfast]]
| first = {{start date and age|df=yes|2003|10|30}}
| last =
| operator = [[Northern Railway zone|Northern Railway]]
| formeroperator = [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railway]]
| ridership =
| start = {{stnlnk|Madurai}} (MDU)
| stops = 29
| end = {{stnlnk|Chandigarh}} (CDG)
| distance = {{convert|3075|km|0|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 51 hrs 50 mins
| frequency = Bi-weekly.
| class = AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, AC 3 Tier Economy, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
| seating = Yes
| sleeping = Yes
| autorack =
| catering = Available
| observation = Large windows
| entertainment =
| baggage = Available
| otherfacilities = Below the seats
| stock = [[LHB coach]]
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm|al=on|allk=on}}
| el =
| trainnumber = 20493 / 20494
| speed = {{convert|130|km/h|0|abbr=on}} maximum, <br/>{{convert|60|km/h|0|abbr=on}} average including halts.
| map = [[File:(Madurai - Dehradun) Express route map.png|250px]]
| map_state =
}}

The 20493 / 20494 '''Madurai–Chandigarh Superfast Express''' is a [[Superfast Express trains in India|Superfast Express]] train of [[Indian Railways]] – [[Northern Railway zone]] that runs between {{stnlnk|Madurai Junction}} in [[Tamil Nadu]] and {{stnlnk|Chandigarh Junction}} in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and [[Haryana]], India. The slip coaches to [[Dehradun]] was permanently discontinued with effect from 11 July 2021.

It operates as train number 20493 from Madurai Junction to Chandigarh Junction and as train number 20494 in the reverse direction, serving the states of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Telangana]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Delhi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Haryana]] and [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].

It previously ran only up to {{stnlnk|Chennai Central}} being recently extended to Madurai Junction. It carried slip coaches to Dehradun. But after July 11 2021, the slip coaches to Dehradun was permanently discontinued and it runs as a single train to Chandigarh from Madurai Junction, with revised coach position.

The train then changed its number from 12687/12688 to 20493/20494 in September 2024. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Abhijay |first= |title=Renumbering of train - Railway Enquiry |url=https://indiarailinfo.com/blog/post/6065332 |access-date=16 May 2024 |website=indiarailinfo.com}}</ref>

==History==

It was first introduced as a Bi-Weekly Superfast Express between [[Chennai Central]] to Chandigarh and slip coaches to [[Dehradun]] as Chennai–Dehradun Link Express.

Later in 2014, it was extended up to Madurai Junction and ran as Madurai Junction–Chandigarh / Dehradun Link Superfast Express. After July 11, 2021, the slip coaches to Dehradun were discontinued and it runs as a single train to Chandigarh without Dehradun Link Express coaches. Therefore, at present it runs as Madurai Junction–Chandigarh Bi-Weekly Superfast Express. Also it was diverted to run via, [[Perambur]] (Chennai), without touching Chennai Central since it has to take reversal done at Chennai Central. At present it takes reversal done only at [[Erode Junction]], it bypasses Chennai Central by without taking reversal. The coach position was also changed. After July 21, 2021, it will not carry AC First Class. It runs with AC Two Tier, AC Three, AC Three Economy, Pantry car,Sleeper class and General Unreserved.

==Coaches==

The 20493 / 94 Madurai–Chandigarh Superfast Express presently has,

* 1 AC Two Tier,
* 3 AC Three Tier,
* 3 AC Three Tier Economy,
* 9 Sleeper class,
* 1 Pantry car,
* 2 General Unreserved,
* 1 SLR (Seating cum Luggage Rake).

==Service==

The 20493 Madurai–Chandigarh Superfast Express covers the distance of 3074 kilometres in 51 hours 55 mins (60.34 km/h). It takes 53 hours 45 mins as 20494 Chandigarh–Madurai Express (58 km/h).

As the average speed of the train is above {{convert|55|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, as per Indian Railways rules, its fare includes a Superfast surcharge.

==Route & halts==

The 20493 / 94 Madurai–Chandigarh Superfast Express runs from Madurai Junction via {{stnlnk|Dindigul Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Karur Junction}},{{stnlnk|Erode Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Salem Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Jolarpettai Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Katpadi Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Arakkonam Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Perambur}}, [[Nayudupeta]], {{stnlnk|Vijayawada Junction}}, [[Warangal]], [[Balharshah]], [[Sewagram]], {{stnlnk|Nagpur Junction}}, [[Itarsi Junction]], {{stnlnk|Bhopal Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Gwalior Junction}}, [[Agra Cantonment]], [[Faridabad]], {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}}, [[Ghaziabad]], {{stnlnk|Meerut City Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Saharanpur Junction}}, [[Ambala Cantonment]] to Chandigarh.

==Direction reversal==

The train reverses its direction once at;
* {{stnlnk|Erode Junction}}.

==Traction==
As the route is fully electrified, it is hauled by an [[Electric Loco Shed, Erode|Erode Loco Shed]]-based [[WAP-7]] electric locomotive from Madurai Junction to Chandigarh Junction and vice versa.

== References ==
{{reflist}}
*{{cite web|url=http://nr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&dcd=3605&id=0,4,268|title=Northern Railways / Indian Railways Portal|publisher=nr.indianrailways.gov.in|accessdate=2014-05-30}}
*{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Madurai-Dehradun-Express-to-run-from-May-15/articleshow/20021993.cms|title=Madurai-Dehradun Express to run from May 15|work=The Times of India|accessdate=2014-05-30}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.railnewscenter.com/2013/05/extension-of-dehradun-chandigarh.html|title=RAIL NEWS CENTER: EXTENSION OF DEHRADUN / CHANDIGARH – CHENNAI CENTRAL WEEKLY EXPRESS TO MADURAI|publisher=railnewscenter.com|accessdate=2014-05-30|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531142726/http://www.railnewscenter.com/2013/05/extension-of-dehradun-chandigarh.html|archivedate=31 May 2014|df=dmy-all}}
*{{cite web|url=http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20140324/2362807.html|title=SR to increase frequency of Madurai-Dehradun/Chandigarh express|publisher=news.webindia123.com|accessdate=2014-05-30}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.livechennai.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=11208|title=Live Chennai: Madurai—Chandigarh Express rescheduled|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=livechennai.com|accessdate=2014-05-30}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.indianrail.gov.in }}

{{Railways in Northern India}}
{{Railways in Southern India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Madurai-Dehradun Express}}
[[Category:Express trains in India]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Delhi]]
[[Category:Trains from Dehradun]]

Madurai–Chandigarh Express - Revision history

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