Ayyappa Devotees' Low Response Leads to Cancellation of Special Sabarimala Trains

The South Central Railway has announced the cancellation of 14 special trains scheduled between January 24 and February 1 due to low response from Ayyappa devotees. The trains, intended to handle increased pilgrimage traffic during the Sabarimala season, included routes such as Moulali-Kottayam, Kagaznagar-Kollam, Kacheguda-Kottayam, Narsapur-Kollam, and Nampally-Kottayam. Officials cited the lack of anticipated demand from devotees as the reason for the cancellations.

Meanwhile, in preparation for the Mahakumbh Mela, set to begin on January 13 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the South Central Railway has announced 16 special trains. These include services on January 18 and 21 from Moulali to Azamgarh, January 20 and 23 from Azamgarh to Moulali, January 19 and 22 from Moulali to Gaya, January 21 and 24 from Gaya to Moulali, January 25 from Kacheguda to Patna, and January 27 from Patna to Kacheguda.

Additionally, 20 special trains from Hyderabad to various destinations have been extended. Notable extensions include:

    Secunderabad-Ramanathapuram-Secunderabad trains extended from January 29 to March 28.
    Kacheguda-Madurai-Kacheguda trains extended from January 27 to April 2.
    Nanded-Erode-Nanded trains extended from January 24 to March 30.
    Kacheguda-Nagercoil-Kacheguda trains extended from January 24 to March 30.