Special Trains for Velankanni Church Festival: Southern Railway has Announced Special Services

To help passengers travelling for the annual Velankanni Church Festival, the Southern Railway has announced special weekly train services between Ernakulam Junction and Velankanni. The festival is scheduled to begin on August 29, and the additional trains have been introduced to manage the expected increase in passenger demand during the religious event.

Special Trains for Velankanni Church Festival

The special service will operate as Train No. 06061 Ernakulam Junction-Velankanni Weekly Special. The train will depart from Ernakulam Junction at 1:00 pm on Thursdays on August 27, September 3, and September 10. It will reach Velankanni at 5:50 am on Friday after covering several important stations along the route.

For the return journey, Train No. 06062 Velankanni-Ernakulam Junction Weekly Special will leave Velankanni at 6:40 pm on Fridays on August 28, September 4, and September 11. The train will arrive at Ernakulam Junction at 11:50 am the following day.

Important Stoppages

The train will stop at multiple stations, including Kottayam, Changanassery, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Mavelikara, Kayamkulam, Karunagapally, Sasthankotta, Kollam, Kundara, Kottarakara, Avaneeswaram, Punalur, Thenmala, Sengottai, Kadayanallur, Tenkasi Junction, Sankarankovil, Rajapalayam, Srivilliputtur, Sivakasi, Virudhunagar, Aruppukkottai, Manamadurai, Sivaganga, Karaikkudi, Athangudi, Pudukkottai, Adirampattinam, Tiruturaipundi, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam.

Train Features

The special trains will offer different travel options for passengers, with a coach arrangement that includes one AC two-tier coach, two AC three-tier coaches, 13 sleeper class coaches, and two second-class coaches designed to be Divyangjan-friendly.

The additional services are expected to provide convenient travel facilities for devotees from Kerala and neighbouring regions who plan to attend the famous Velankanni Church Festival. Railway authorities have advised passengers to book their tickets in advance as demand is likely to remain high during the festival period.