Chennai: To ease travel during the Puja and Diwali season, the special train from Chennai Central to Sengottai has been extended to Kottayam, Southern Railway announced.

The train (06121) will depart Chennai Central at 3.10 pm on October 1, 8, 15 and 22, arriving at Kottayam at 12.05 pm the following day. The return service (06122) will leave Kottayam at 2.05 pm on October 2, 9, 16 and 23, reaching Chennai Central at 11.30 am the next day. Tickets for the October 1 departure have sold out, while seats remain available for other dates. The service consists exclusively of AC three-tier economy coaches.

In Kerala, the train will stop at Punalur, Kottarakkara, Kundara, Kollam, Kayamkulam, Mavelikkara, Chengannur, Thiruvalla and Changanassery stations.

Southern Railway had initially planned around 80 special trains from Chennai to destinations bordering Kerala, including Sengottai, Nagercoil, Coimbatore, Pothannur and Tirunelveli. Earlier reports indicated the railway was not planning to extend any of these services to Kerala. Following public demand, the Chennai-Sengottai special train has now been extended to Kottayam. Apart from October 1, more than 600 berths remain vacant across the other three special services from Chennai Central to Kottayam.