Heading to Attukal Pongala 2026? Know these key railway changes in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: Special traffic, platform and safety arrangements have been announced at Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station in view of the Attukal Pongala 2026 festival on March 3.

The Railways said vehicle parking will be strictly restricted at the station from March 1 to March 3, 2026, due to crowd management measures and ongoing reconstruction work. The second entrance on the Power House Road side will remain completely closed.

Passengers, especially Attukal Pongala devotees, have been advised to use the following entry points:

• Main entrance (Thampanoor side)
• Parcel Office side and Premium Parking entrance
• Underpass near the overbridge close to Thycaud Women & Children Hospital

Platform changes on March 3

To streamline pilgrim movement during the Attukal Pongala rush, trains departing from Thiruvananthapuram Central on March 3 will operate from designated platforms:

• Trains towards Kollam Junction: Platforms 1, 2, 3 and 4
• Trains towards Nagercoil: Platform 5

Access to platforms will be regulated through three temporary covered holding areas to prevent congestion. Unreserved ticket counters will be set up near these areas, and entry to platforms will be permitted according to train schedules.

Passengers holding reserved tickets can enter directly through the main entrance portico.

Temporary stoppage at Thiruvananthapuram Pettah

For the convenience of reserved passengers during the Pongala festival, a one-minute temporary stoppage has been arranged at Thiruvananthapuram Pettah railway station for several major trains, including:

• 12643 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express
• 06125 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Ernakulam Junction Unreserved Special (via Alappuzha)
• 12624 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Dr MGR Chennai Central Superfast Express
• 20632 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Mangaluru Central Vande Bharat Express
• 12507 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Silchar Aronai Superfast Express
• 12696 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Dr MGR Chennai Central Superfast Express
• 16342 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Guruvayur Express

Additional trains have also been provided with temporary halts to manage heavy passenger flow.

Also Read| Kerala local holidays on Feb 23, March 3: Know where schools, govt offices shut for temple fests

Crowd management and access routes

Railway authorities said three temporary holding areas will be set up this year, considering ongoing development works at the station.

Pilgrims approaching from:

• Kizhakkekotta (East Fort) and Power House Road should be reached via the Thampanoor side using Residency Road or the MG Road Overbridge.
• Thycaud side or Residency Road Overbridge can use the New Theatre Road underpass.
• MG Road and RMS side may enter through the Railway Parcel Office Gate opposite Chaitram Hotel or via the main entrance.

Entry from the MG Road side will be allowed as per train schedules to avoid overcrowding. Holding areas will function near the Premium Car Parking area (opposite KSRTC) and near the Ganapathy Temple booking office.

Peak-hour deboarding plan

During peak hours between 2 pm and 4 pm, after Pongala rituals conclude, smooth deboarding of passengers arriving on:

• 12081 Jan Shatabdi Express
• 20631 Vande Bharat Express
• 22627 Intercity Express

will be facilitated through the Middle Foot Overbridge and Higginbothams exit.

Medical and emergency arrangements

The Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Medical Branch has set up four fully equipped medical aid posts at key points inside the railway station.

Senior doctors, nursing staff and St John Ambulance Brigade personnel will be on duty. Three ambulances will be stationed strategically around the station premises. Oxygen concentrators, emergency medicines, stretchers and wheelchairs will be available.

Safety advisory for Attukal Pongala devotees

Railway authorities issued strict safety instructions:

• Lighting Pongala fire pits on railway premises is prohibited.
• Sitting or gathering on platforms and foot overbridges is not allowed.
• Crossing railway tracks is strictly prohibited; passengers must use foot overbridges.
• Instructions from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), police and railway officials must be followed at all times.

Also Read| Real Kerala story! Palayam Imam’s call to open mosques for Attukal Pongala devotees goes viral

Attukal Pongala special trains

To handle the surge in passenger traffic, several unreserved special trains will operate between Thiruvananthapuram, Nagercoil and Ernakulam via Kottayam and Alappuzha on March 2 and 3.

Key services include:

• 06121 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Nagercoil Junction Unreserved Special
• 06122 Nagercoil Junction–Thiruvananthapuram Central Unreserved Special
• 06123 Ernakulam Junction–Thiruvananthapuram Central (via Kottayam)
• 06124 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Ernakulam Junction (via Kottayam)
• 06125 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Ernakulam Junction (via Alappuzha)

Temporary stoppages have also been provided at Kazhakoottam, Chirayinkeezhu, Palliyadi and Balaramapuram for select long-distance trains.

Rescheduling and delays

Some services on March 3 will operate with minor delays, including:

• 12643 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Hazrat Nizamuddin Express
• 56310 Thiruvananthapuram North–Nagercoil Passenger
• 66306 Kollam–Kanyakumari MEMU
• 16366 Nagercoil–Kottayam Express

Passengers are advised to check updated train timings before commencing their journey.

With lakhs of devotees expected to participate in Attukal Pongala 2026, railway officials said the comprehensive arrangements aim to ensure safe, smooth and congestion-free travel at Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station.