Vishu rush: Special train service announced between Karnataka and Thiruvananthapuram 

MANGALURU/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To accommodate the heavy passenger traffic during the upcoming Vishu festival, Southern Railway has announced a special train service (06041/06042) connecting Mangaluru Junction and Kochuveli. This service aims to provide a much-needed relief to Malayalees traveling home for the festivities on the weekend.

The special service will operate on a single-trip basis to cater to the peak holiday demand:

• Train No. 06041 (Mangaluru Jn to Kochuveli): The train will depart from Mangaluru Junction at 6:00 PM (18:00) on Saturday, April 11, 2026. It is scheduled to reach Kochuveli at 6:30 AM the following morning, April 12.
• Train No. 06042 (Kochuveli to Mangaluru Jn): For the return journey, the train will depart from Kochuveli at 8:30 AM on Sunday, April 12, 2026, reaching Mangaluru Junction at 8:45 PM the same night.

The train will traverse the heart of Kerala, following the Kottayam route. It will provide major connectivity for passengers across the following 19 stations:

Stoppages: Kasaragod, Kanhangad, Payyannur, Kannur, Thalassery, Vadakara, Kozhikode, Tirur, Shoranur, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Changanassery, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Mavelikkara, Kayamkulam, and Kollam.

The train is designed to cater to various budgets, featuring a mix of air-conditioned and non-AC coaches:

• AC 2-Tier: 2 Coaches
• AC 3-Tier: 3 Coaches
• Sleeper Class: 10 Coaches
• General Second Class: 4 Coaches

Tickets for these special fare services are expected to sell out quickly. Passengers are advised to book their tickets through the IRCTC website, mobile app, or at railway reservation counters as soon as possible.