Indian Railways will operate 148 special train services across various routes to cater to the heavy rush of Sabarimala pilgrims traveling from across the country during the upcoming Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, Kodikunnil Suresh MP has said. Speaking to the media in Kollam, he added that the decision aims to ensure seamless travel infrastructure for thousands of Ayyappa devotees converging in Kerala during the peak pilgrimage period.
The special train services will be managed jointly by multiple railway zones to handle the regional traffic demand. As per the operations plan, the South Central Railway will run the highest number of services -- 56 trains, followed by Southern Railway with 32 trains, South Coast Railway with 22 trains, South Western Railway with 20 trains, and Central Railway operating 18 trains. In the initial phase, these 148 special trains are scheduled to complete a total of 362 trips.
To facilitate convenient access to the hill shrine, the operations are centered around key railway hubs in southern Kerala, primarily Kottayam, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram. These stations will serve as major transit points for pilgrims heading toward Pamba and Sabarimala.
During his meeting with the Railway Board Chairman, Mr. Suresh urged the authorities to introduce special train services on the Punalur–Kottarakkara–Kollam route to benefit pilgrims arriving from the eastern regions of Tamil Nadu. Additionally, the MP requested a minimum five-minute halt for all special trains at Chengannur railway station, considering its status as one of the primary rail gateways for Sabarimala pilgrims.
Published - October 16, 2026 07:11 pm IST