THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Sabarimala Pilgrim Passengers arriving/returning through trains during the ongoing Sabarimala Mandala Makara Vilakku season has increased recently. Thiruvananthapuram division of Southern Railway has provided special arrangements for their safe and serene pilgrimage.
PASSENGER AMENITIES
1. Catering stalls and platform vending functioning 24 hours at Chengannur and Kottayam stations.
2. Pilgrim centres functioning at Kottayam and Chengannur with capacity to accommodate 500 pilgrims each provide free halting space for Sabarimala Pilgrim Passengers.
3. Sanitation arrangements intensified at Chengannur, Kottayam, Thiruvalla, Changanssery, Kottayam, Ernakulam Jn. Ernakulam South, Aluva and Thrissur. Health Inspectors functioning ‘round the clock’ to monitor the cleanliness of Chengannur, Kottayam and Ernakulam Jn.
4. Mobile Restrooms set up at Ernakulam and Chengannur.
5. Assistance Kiosks of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, District Collectors, Travancore Devaswom Board, Police Department and Medical Department functioning at Chengannur and Kottayam.
6. Additional Permits provided for Taxi vehicles at Ernakulam Jn., Kottayam, Chengannur and Thrisur ensures reliable and reasonable transit facility from Railway station to Sabarimala.
TICKETING AND ENQUIRY
1. Passenger Reservation centers functioning between 09.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs on all days at Pampa near Pampa Ganapathy temple. Pilgrims are availing reservations/cancellations and getting railway information.
2. Additional booking counters opened at Chengannur and Kottayam railway stations.
3. Round the clock information counters functioning at Chengannur and Kottayam, additional ticket checking staff possessing multilingual skills from Salem, Tiruchchirapalli and Chennai deployed at Information counters and onboard trains.
SPECIAL TRAINS
1. Special Trains are operated from and to different stations of South Central Railway, East Central Railway and Southern Railway.
2. Two pairs of weekly trains 12698/12697 Thiruvananthapuram – Chennai – Thiruvananthapuram Weekly Superfast Express and Train No.22653/22654 Thiruvananthapuram – Hazrat Nizamuddin – Thiruvananthapuram Weekly Superfast Express provided two minute temporary stoppage at Chengannur between 24.11.18 and 21.01.19
SAFETY
1. To prevent misuse of Railway premises by unauthorized people and avoid any chance of stampede, Pilgrim centres and platforms will only by accessible to genuine Passengers. Platform tickets are compulsory for entering the platforms and the rates are revised from Rs 10/- to Rs 20/- per person at Kottayam and Chengannur(01.12.18 to 20.01.19).
2. Passengers are not allowed to wait or take rest on Foot Over bridges, Stairs and Platforms walkways.
SECURITY
1. Special security scheme implemented at Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam South, Ernakulam North, Thrisur, Guruvayur, Thiruvananthapuram central and Kanniyakumari railway stations.
2. 220 Railway Protection Force officials deployed to ensure safe and secure travel for passengers in Trains and at Stations.
3. RPF Women contigent comprising 35 Staff integrated for managing the security.
4. Ex-Servicemen deployed at Chengannur and Kottayam stations.
5. Pilgrim Assistance Booths functioning ‘round the clock’ at Chengannur and Kottayam railway stations manned by RPF personnel.
6. Crime Prevention and Detection Squad stationed at Chengannur.
7. Anti-sabotage checks are conducted utilizing the services of the RPF Dog Squads.
HELPLINE NUMBERS
Important Railway Helpline Numbers
Railway Passenger Helpline No. – 138
RPF Security Helpline No. – 182
IRCTC Customer Care No. – 075566 10661, 075540 90600
