Onam travel: Indian Railways to run 112 special train trips for festive rush

Indian Railways will operate 112 special train trips during the Onam festival season to accommodate the expected surge in passenger demand and ease pressure on regular services. The special trains will run between August 14 and September 6, connecting Kerala with major cities across southern and eastern India.

The move comes as thousands of people, including non-resident Keralites, students, professionals and tourists, are expected to travel to and from Kerala for Onam celebrations. The number of special services has more than doubled from last year’s 55 trips, marking an increase of around 103%.

Southern Railway to operate 54 services

Of the 112 special trips, Southern Railway will operate 54 services. These include 38 trips within its own network and 16 inter-railway services connecting Kerala with neighbouring railway zones.

South Western Railway, South Central Railway and South Eastern Railway will together operate the remaining 58 services, creating a coordinated network of additional trains during the peak festive period.

Major cities to get additional connectivity

The special services will connect Kerala with several major cities, including Chennai, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Hyderabad and Santragachi.

Important Kerala destinations covered by the additional services include Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Kannur. The additional trains are expected to provide more travel options on some of the busiest routes during the festival season.

Aim to reduce waitlists, congestion

The additional services have been planned primarily to clear waiting lists and reduce congestion on regular trains during the Onam rush.

Indian Railways and Southern Railway will continue monitoring passenger demand and waiting-list trends across major routes. More special services may be introduced if demand remains high or waiting lists rise further.

With 112 special train trips scheduled this year, the Railways has significantly expanded its Onam operations compared with 2025. The move is expected to make festive travel more convenient for passengers returning to Kerala to celebrate the festival with family and friends.