India is strengthening its rail infrastructure for the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage, unveiling a series of new special trains and extended routes designed to support the massive December–January travel rush. As thousands of devotees prepare to journey to the revered hill shrine, the South Central Railway has taken proactive steps to ease congestion, increase capacity, and provide more reliable travel options for pilgrims across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala.
The seasonal surge—one of India’s largest religious travel movements—places immense pressure on existing routes every year. In response, railway authorities have expanded services and fine-tuned schedules to ensure smoother operations during the peak pilgrimage period. This year’s enhancements mark one of the most comprehensive expansions in recent times, offering improved accessibility, more seating availability, and streamlined connections to key pilgrimage transit points.
New Special Trains Introduced to Support Rising Passenger Demand
South Central Railway has announced six special Sabarimala trains, supplemented by two extended services running into early January 2026. These trains link major towns such as Narsapur, Charlapalli, and Sirpur Kaghaznagar with Kollam, a vital entry point for devotees travelling onward to Sabarimala.
Key Special Services This Season
- Train 07125 (Narsapur–Kollam): Departing December 27, serving coastal Andhra Pradesh pilgrims who often seek direct southbound connections.
- Train 07127 (Charlapalli–Kollam): Departing January 10 and 17 to cover the busiest mid-January travel weeks.
- Return Trains 07126 and 07128 (Kollam–Narsapur/Charlapalli): Operating on select Mondays through December and January to support return journeys after the pilgrimage.
These trains are equipped with a mix of AC, sleeper, and general compartments, catering to diverse traveller needs. Their multi-class configurations aim to balance comfort and affordability—an essential requirement for long-distance pilgrimage travel.
The addition of new services ensures a more even distribution of passengers across the network and reduces bottlenecks that typically occur during peak days.
Extended Routes Ensure Smooth Travel Through Early January 2026
Recognising that many devotees return from Sabarimala in the first half of January, railway planners have extended two important routes:
- Sirpur Kaghaznagar–Kollam
- Kollam–Charlapalli
These extensions maintain the same timing and intermediate stops as previous seasons, preserving familiar patterns that passengers rely on. This continuity helps avoid confusion during the already hectic pilgrimage period.
The extended services ensure trains continue flowing across interstate corridors that face significant crowding during the new year. By stretching operations into early January, South Central Railway is helping disperse crowds more evenly and offering greater flexibility to pilgrims choosing their return dates.
Familiar Halts Ensure Seamless Connectivity for Smaller Cities
All special trains will stop at major junctions including:
- Vijayawada
- Renigunta
- Chittoor
- Salem
- Erode
- Tiruppur
- Palakkad
- Thrissur
- Ernakulam Town
These stations serve as crucial interchange points, enabling passengers from smaller towns and remote regions to easily join the pilgrimage route. Retaining these halts ensures the network remains inclusive, convenient, and widely accessible.
A Strategy Designed to Anticipate Demand, Not React to It
The December–January pilgrimage season poses unique logistical challenges. Devotees often travel in large groups, carry luggage for extended stays, and seek direct or minimal-transfer routes. Recognising these needs, South Central Railway has structured its schedule to anticipate travel pressure, offering predictable timings and increased seat capacity.
The addition of special trains helps reduce last-minute ticket stress and lowers the risk of overcrowding at major hubs. With enhanced frequency and consistent halts, the network is better equipped to maintain orderly travel flow throughout the season.
Officials emphasise that these trains form part of a broader operational strategy that includes:
- prioritising safety and efficient crowd management
- coordinating resources across multiple zones
- maintaining clear communication about schedules and changes
Passengers are encouraged to book tickets early due to high demand, especially on weekends and auspicious dates.
Boosting Travel Efficiency Across Southern India
The Sabarimala pilgrimage season is not only a religious event but also a major logistical operation involving state and national transport agencies. This year’s expansion supports broader infrastructural goals, including improving travel reliability, reducing road congestion, and enhancing interstate mobility across southern India.
Rail authorities have also strengthened coordination with stations along the corridor to ensure timely platform management, smooth boarding, and efficient dispersal of passengers.
Ensuring a Smooth Pilgrimage Experience for Thousands
The annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala is one of India’s most significant religious journeys. As thousands prepare for their trek to Lord Ayyappa’s shrine, the enhanced rail network ensures that the journey to Kerala is as seamless as possible.
By introducing new special trains, extending existing services, and increasing overall capacity, South Central Railway is helping devotees travel with greater comfort and confidence during the most intense period of the pilgrimage calendar.
This year’s expanded rail operations reflect a commitment to supporting spiritual tourism while maintaining safety, reliability, and accessibility. With more options now available, pilgrims can look forward to smoother journeys as they embark on this sacred annual tradition.
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