Thiruvananthapuram | As many as 180 special train services were operated in the Thiruvananthapuram Division during the Onam festive season this year, carrying an additional 2,45,823 passengers, railway officials said here on Wednesday.

Despite operating the highest-ever number of additional special services, the division recorded an overall punctuality of 94.67 per cent in August this year, compared to 91 per cent during the same month last year.

Railway authorities said punctuality was closely monitored throughout the festive season to ensure smooth operations.

Maintaining cleanliness in the special trains was one of the major challenges during the rush. Additional housekeeping teams and resources were deployed at key locations, while cleaning activities were closely monitored to ensure efficient turnaround of the trains.

"The special train services were announced very early this year and are scheduled to manage the post-festive period traffic also," a Southern Railway release said.

The railways also thanked the media for its coverage of the special trains and additional coaches introduced to help passengers travel conveniently during the festive season.

As part of the festive arrangements, 34 temporary stalls were set up at 11 major stations. The stalls offered a variety of traditional Kerala products, including books, handmade items, banana chips, payasam and handloom products.

The initiative helped passengers with convenient festive shopping while also providing an opportunity for local and small-scale entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products, the release said.

The railways said the coordinated efforts of the operations, commercial, engineering, electrical, mechanical, medical, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Environment, Housekeeping and other departments helped manage the festive rush smoothly and safely.