Summer travel relief: Railways announce Special Trains to Chennai, Bengal, and Bengaluru

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major relief for commuters facing the heat of the upcoming summer rush and the Easter-Vishu festive season, the Railways has announced a series of special train services. These "Summer Specials" are set to connect Kerala to major hubs including Chennai, Santragachi (West Bengal), Bengaluru, and Hubballi.

The move aims to accommodate the massive surge in passengers during April and May, ensuring that those heading home for holidays or travelling for vacations can find confirmed berths.

Kochuveli to Santragachi

For those travelling to the East, the Railways is operating 10 special services between Kochuveli (Thiruvananthapuram North) and Santragachi.

• Schedule: The train departs Kochuveli every Friday at 2:15 PM, reaching Santragachi at 1:45 PM on Sunday.
• Return: The return service leaves Santragachi on Mondays at 2:15 PM, arriving back in Kerala at 9:55 AM on Wednesday.
• Route: This long-haul service provides a vital link for the migrant workforce and tourists alike, covering major stations across the eastern corridor.

Chennai – Kochuveli Special

A dedicated service will bridge the gap between Chennai and Southern Kerala via the popular Kottayam route.

• Departure: Train No. 06113 departs Chennai Egmore at 11:55 PM on April 2, 2026, reaching Kochuveli the next evening at 6:00 PM.
• Return: The return leg (Train No. 06114) leaves Kochuveli at 5:15 PM on April 5, arriving at Chennai Egmore at 11:30 AM the following morning.
• Stops: Major halts include Salem, Erode, Palakkad, Ernakulam Town, and Kottayam.

Hubballi & Bengaluru

Catering to the high demand from professionals in Karnataka, a special service (Train No. 07347/07348) has been fast-tracked for the Easter weekend.

• Inward: The train departs SSS Hubballi at 7:05 AM on April 2, passing through SMVT Bengaluru, and arrives in Kollam at 7:00 AM on April 3.
• Outward: It departs Kollam at 10:45 AM on April 3, reaching Bengaluru overnight and arriving in Hubballi at 10:40 AM on Saturday.

Booking information

Railway officials have confirmed that reservations for these special fare services are now open through the IRCTC portal and offline counters. Given the high demand for the summer season, passengers are encouraged to book their tickets early.

Travel Tip: Look for "Thiruvananthapuram North" on the booking app, as Kochuveli has been officially renamed in the railway database.

With these additional coaches and services, the Railways hopes to significantly reduce the waiting lists on regular trains like the Kerala Express and Chennai Mail during the peak April heat.