Thiruvananthapuram: In a historic move, Southern Railway has announced the operation of unreserved special trains to accommodate the massive influx of devotees for this year's Thrissur Pooram. This marks the first time in the festival's history that dedicated special services are being deployed specifically to facilitate passenger movement from Southern Kerala to the central cultural hub.

Special MEMU service via Kottayam

To manage the heavy rush, a special MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) service will operate between Kollam Junction and Thrissur on Sunday. The train is scheduled to run via the Kottayam route, providing a crucial transport link for commuters from Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Kottayam districts heading to the festivities.

Enhanced stoppages and connectivity

Traditionally, the railways focused on providing additional stoppages at Punkunnam, a suburban station in close proximity to the main Thrissur railway station, to ease congestion. While these additional stops will continue for most regular trains, the introduction of the dedicated MEMU specials represents a major upgrade in festival logistics.

According to the railway authorities, by operating these unreserved specials, they aim to reduce the heavy load on regular long-distance trains and provide a more comfortable and reliable travel option for "Pooram" enthusiasts travelling from the southern parts of the state.