Thiruvananthapuram | Indian Railways will run 112 special train trips during the Onam festival season to handle the expected surge in passenger traffic, with Southern Railway operating 54 services and other zonal railways running the remaining 58.

According to an official release, the special trains will operate mainly between August 14 and September 6, connecting Kerala with major cities in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

Southern Railway said it will operate 38 special trips within its network and 16 inter-railway special trips linking Kerala with neighbouring railway zones. South Western Railway, South Central Railway and South Eastern Railway will together run 58 additional special services to and through Kerala.

The Railways has nearly doubled the number of special train trips for this year's Onam season.

While 55 special trips were operated during the festival in 2025, the number has gone up to 112 this year, an increase of about 103 per cent, the release said.

The special trains will connect major cities, including Chennai, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Hyderabad and Santragachi, with key destinations in Kerala such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Kannur, Ernakulam and Mangaluru, it said.

The services are expected to benefit thousands of non-resident Keralites, students, professionals and tourists travelling home for the festival.

"Indian Railways and Southern Railway continue to closely monitor waitlist trends and travel demand across all major routes and provide additional trains if necessary," Southern Railway said.

The Railway said the special services have been planned to reduce waiting lists, ease congestion during the festive season and ensure smoother travel for passengers.