South Western Railway announces additional services to manage festival rush
Ahead of the Pongal festival, passenger traffic between Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu is expected to rise significantly. Taking this into account, South Western Railway has announced the operation of special trains between Mysuru, Bengaluru, and Thoothukudi to ease travel during the festive season.
The move is aimed at supporting passengers travelling to their hometowns and those visiting family members during Pongal, ensuring smoother and more comfortable journeys.
Mysuru – Thoothukudi Pongal Special Express
One of the key services announced is the Mysuru–Thoothukudi–Mysuru Pongal Special Express. These additional trains are being introduced to reduce the burden on regular services, which typically experience heavy demand during the festival period.
The special trains will operate in both directions, benefiting passengers travelling from Mysuru, Bengaluru, and other en-route cities to various destinations in Tamil Nadu.
Major Halts
The Pongal Special Express will stop at several important stations, including:
Bengaluru
Salem
Karur
Dindigul
Madurai
Virudhunagar
Sattur
Kovilpatti
With these halts, the service effectively connects key cities across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Benefits for Passengers
Advance booking for these special trains has already begun. Passengers are advised to reserve tickets early to avoid last-minute inconvenience during the peak travel period.
Railway officials stated that the operation of additional trains will help reduce overcrowding on regular services, ease festival travel pressure, and allow passengers to travel more comfortably and safely.
Special Arrangement for Pongal Travelers
A large surge in travel is expected in January due to the Pongal festival. In response, these special trains will be operated on select dates to manage the increased demand. South Western Railway expressed confidence that this initiative will make festive travel smoother, safer, and more convenient for the public.
