Mangaluru: Southern Railway will operate a special festival train between Mangaluru Junction and Kollam Junction on August 25 to accommodate the additional passenger rush during the Onam holiday season.
The one-day special service will provide an additional travel option for passengers travelling between coastal Karnataka and Kerala during the festive period.
Special train to depart Mangaluru at 8 am
Train No. 06052 Mangaluru Junction–Kollam Junction Festival Special Express will depart from Mangaluru Junction at 8 am on Tuesday, August 25.
The train is scheduled to reach Kollam Junction at 6.45 pm on the same day.
The service has been introduced specifically to clear the additional rush of passengers during the Onam holidays, when demand for rail travel between Karnataka and Kerala typically increases.
Passengers travelling towards various destinations in Kerala will have an additional option through the special service.
Return train to leave Kollam at 9 pm
The return service, Train No. 06051 Kollam Junction–Mangaluru Junction Festival Special Express, will depart from Kollam Junction at 9 pm on August 25.
It is scheduled to arrive at Mangaluru Junction at 9.30 am on August 26.
The overnight return service will allow passengers travelling from Kerala towards Mangaluru and other destinations to use the special train during the festive rush.
The introduction of the service is expected to provide some relief to passengers seeking confirmed or additional travel options during the busy Onam period.
Train composition
The festival special will have a mix of reserved and unreserved coaches to cater to passengers with different travel requirements.
The train will comprise:
- One AC Two-Tier coach
- Three AC Three-Tier coaches
- 10 Sleeper Class coaches
- Four Second Class General coaches
- Two Second Class-cum-Luggage Brake Vans
The combination of AC, sleeper and general coaches is expected to accommodate a large number of passengers travelling during the holiday period.
Special train to halt at 21 stations
The Mangaluru–Kollam festival special will operate through several important stations across coastal Karnataka and Kerala.
On its journey from Mangaluru Junction to Kollam Junction, the train will halt at Kasaragod, Kanhangad, Nileshwar, Payyanur, Kannur, Thalassery, Vadakara and Kozhikode.
It will also stop at Tirur, Shornur, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam and Changanassery.
Further scheduled halts include Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Mavelikara, Kayankulam Junction, Karunagapalli and Sasthankotta.
The extensive list of stops will allow passengers from several towns and cities along the route to use the special service.
Additional travel option during Onam
Onam is one of Kerala’s major festivals and witnesses substantial movement of people between cities, towns and their native places.
The additional train service is therefore intended to meet the increased demand for rail travel during the holiday period.
Passengers travelling from Mangaluru towards Kerala will benefit from the morning departure, while those returning from Kerala can use the night service from Kollam.
The special service also connects several major commercial and residential centres along the Mangaluru–Kollam route.
Southern Railway’s decision to operate the festival special is aimed at easing pressure on regular services and providing additional capacity during the peak travel period.
With the train scheduled to operate on August 25, passengers planning their journey during the Onam holidays can make use of the additional service and its multiple halts across the route.