Railways Runs 374 Special Trains for Pongal and Sabarimala Rush

Indian Railways has announced over 374 special train trips across the country to manage the heavy surge in passengers during the ongoing festival season. The additional services are expected to ease waiting lists, improve berth availability, and ensure convenient travel for devotees and holidaymakers heading to major destinations. The move comes as regular trains are nearing full occupancy due to Pongal, Sabarimala, and Makaravilakku festivities.

To address the extra rush, 69 special trains have been scheduled over the last two months, covering key routes in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and neighbouring states. These include 36 trains for Pongal, 33 for Sabarimala, and 46 intra-zonal services connecting Chennai to Tirunelveli, Tiruchchirappalli, Rameswaram, Kanniyakumari, Sengottai, and Podanur. In addition, the periodicity of 29 regular trains has been extended to accommodate more passengers.

For Makaravilakku pilgrims, Southern Railway has deployed special trains with 16 unreserved coaches to Kakinada and 14 to Charlapalli, with advance reservations opening early for travelers. Special stoppages have also been provided at high-traffic stations like Hi-tech City, Charlapalli, and Lingampalli to ensure smoother boarding and disembarkation during peak hours.

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Passenger convenience is being further enhanced through the RailOne mobile app, offering a 3% discount on unreserved tickets booked digitally between January 14 and July 14. The Railways has also ensured proper crowd management, with additional TTEs, Railway Protection Force personnel, CCTV surveillance, and baggage screening facilities deployed at key stations.

To maintain service quality and passenger comfort, catering and multi-purpose stalls have been set up across stations, providing hygienic food and beverages to travelers. Departments across the Railways are coordinating closely to manage entry, exit, and platform movement efficiently, ensuring a hassle-free travel experience during the festival rush.

Passengers are advised to check train numbers, routes, and schedules via the Indian Railways official website, NTES, and IRCTC platforms, and to reach stations early to avoid last-minute congestion. The Railway’s extensive arrangements aim to guarantee safe, comfortable, and timely journeys for millions heading home or on pilgrimage during the festive season.

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