Ayudha Pooja Holidays: Five Special Trains Connecting Coimbatore Announced; Reservations Open at 8 AM on Oct 15

Coimbatore: Southern Railway has announced five pairs of special train services to manage the expected passenger rush during the upcoming Pooja holidays, including services connecting Chennai and Podanur in Coimbatore.

The special trains will operate on selected dates between October 16 and 20, connecting major destinations across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.

Train No. 06023, the Dr. MGR Chennai Central–Podanur Special, will depart Chennai Central at 11.55 pm on Friday, October 16, and arrive at Podanur at 9.15 am on Saturday, October 17. The return service, Train No. 06024, will depart Podanur at 2 pm on October 17 and reach Chennai Central at 11.55 pm the same day.

Another service on the same route, Train No. 06033, will leave Chennai Central at 11.55 pm on Sunday, October 18, and arrive at Podanur at 9.15 am on Monday, October 19. Its return service, Train No. 06034, will depart Podanur at 6.15 pm on Tuesday, October 20, and reach Chennai Central at 3.35 am on Wednesday, October 21.

Both Chennai–Podanur services will stop at Perambur, Tiruvallur, Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode and Tiruppur. Each train will have 10 AC three-tier coaches, six AC three-tier economy coaches and two luggage-cum-brake vans.

Southern Railway has also announced special services on the following routes. On the Tambaram–Sengottai route, Train No. 06089 will depart Tambaram at 11.55 pm on October 19 and arrive at Sengottai at 12.15 pm on October 20. The return service, Train No. 06090, will leave Sengottai at 3 pm on October 20 and reach Tambaram at 3.20 am on October 21.

On the Erode–Tirunelveli route, Train No. 06145 will depart Erode at 4 pm on October 16 and arrive at Tirunelveli at 12.30 pm on October 17. The corresponding return service, Train No. 06146, will depart Tirunelveli at 11.40 pm on October 20 and arrive at Tambaram at 10.30 am on October 21.

On the Chennai Central–Kollam route, Train No. 06083 will depart Dr. MGR Chennai Central at 11.50 pm on October 19 and arrive at Kollam at 4.30 pm on October 20. The return service, Train No. 06084, will leave Kollam at 6.45 pm on October 20 and reach Chennai Central at 11.35 am on October 21.

The Chennai Central–Kollam special will stop at Podanur between 8.23 am and 8.25 am while travelling towards Kollam. On the return journey, it will stop at Podanur between 2.18 am and 2.20 am.

Advance reservations for the special trains will open at 8 am on Thursday, October 15, through Southern Railway's reservation channels. Passengers planning their festive journeys are advised to check the respective train numbers, departure dates and timings before booking their tickets.