Indian Railways adds 112 special trains for Onam travel surge in Kerala

Indian Railways will operate 112 special train trips during the Onam festival season, mainly from 14 August to 6 September, to accommodate the expected rise in passenger traffic. Southern Railway will run 54 services, while South Western, South Central and South Eastern Railways will together provide the remaining 58 trips. The extra trains will link Kerala with major cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Hyderabad and Santragachi, and will serve key Kerala stations including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Kannur, Ernakulam and Mangaluru. The schedule nearly doubles the 55 special trips run in 2025, a 103 % increase, and is intended to reduce wait‑lists, ease congestion and help thousands of non‑resident Keralites, students, professionals and tourists travel home for the festival.