Southern Railway announces upgrades for Kumbakonam Mahamaham festival

Southern Railway is fast-tracking infrastructure upgrades at Kumbakonam railway station to prepare for the 2028 Mahamaham festival. General Manager R. Subba Rao stated that approximately 25 lakh pilgrims are expected to arrive for the event.

Key developmental projects include a station facelift valued at Rs 150 crore under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and the doubling of railway tracks. A tender has been floated for the double line conversion of the Aduthurai to Sundaraperumal Kovil section, covering approximately 22 to 30 km, at a cost of Rs 164 crore.

To manage the influx of devotees, the railway plans to establish additional platforms, widen foot over bridges, and operate special trains. The railway will also mobilize staff and appoint temporary employees to assist with passenger movement. While track doubling between Thanjavur and Villupuram is unlikely to be completed before the festival, a project report for the Kumbakonam-Virudhachalam section has been prepared.