Pongal or samkranti is known to be the main festival in southIndia. This festival is celebrated for four days. In Tamilnadu Pongal is celebrated as Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, Mattu pongal and Kaanum pongal and these festivals will fall on 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th January 2012 respectively. South Indian states give holidays for schools and colleges for Pongal festival. Various institutes/ schools have declared pongal/ sankranti holidays from 8thto 17th January 2012. Railways will provide a number of special trains and state road transport corporations will also run special buses for transportation requirements of the people who are coming across various regions of the country. Because of this there will be heavy rush at trains as well as buses throughout the festive season.
Southern Railway has announced Pongal special trains to clear the extra rush of travelers during the eve of the festival. Passengers can go for advance reservations for the special trains which will start on January 7.
Indian Railways has published the lists of special trains in their official website.
1)Chennai Central – Nagercoil Special and Nagercoil – Chennai Central Superfast Special (via. Erode, Karur, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudunagar, Tirunelveli): T.No.06021 Chennai Central – Nagercoil Special will leave Chennai Central at 22.30 hrs. on 13.1.2012 and arrive Nagercoil at 14.00 hrs. the next day.T.No.06022 Nagercoil – Chennai Central Superfast Special will leave Nagercoil at 12.40 hrs. on 17.1.2012 and arrive Chennai Central at 03.30 hrs. the next day.The composition of the trains will be 1 AC 2-tier, 2 AC 3-tier, 12 Sleeper Class, 6 General Second Class and 2 luggage-cum-brake van coaches.The trains will stop at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Karur, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudunagar, Sattur, Kovilpatti, Vanchi Maniyachchi, Tirunelveli and Valliyur. T.No.06022 will stop at Perambur also.
2)Chennai Central – Nagercoil – Chennai Central Superfast Specials (via. Erode, Karur, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudunagar, Tirunelveli): T.No.06023 Chennai Central – Nagercoil Superfast Special will leave Chennai Central at 20.00 hrs. on 14.1.2012 and arrive Nagercoil at 11.00 hrs. the next day.T.No.06024 Nagercoil – Chennai Central Superfast Special will leave Nagercoil at 19.40 hrs. on 16.1.2012 and arrive Chennai Central at 10.40 hrs. the next day.The composition of the trains will be 1 AC 2-tier, 2 AC 3-tier, 12 Sleeper Class, 4 General Second Class and 2 luggage-cum-brake van coaches.The trains will stop at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Karur, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudunagar, Sattur, Kovilpatti, Vanchi Maniyachchi, Tirunelveli and Valliyur. T.No.06024 will stop at Morappur, Tiruppattur & Perambur also.
3)Coimbatore – Chennai Central – Coimbatore Superfast Specials: T.No.06626 Coimbatore – Chennai Central Superfast Special will leave Coimbatore at 23.45 hrs. on 17.1.2012 and arrive Chennai Central at 07.45 hrs. the next day.T.No.06625 Chennai Central – Coimbatore Superfast Special will leave Chennai Central at 22.30 hrs. on 18.1.2012 and arrive Coimbatore at 06.50 hrs. the next day.The composition of the trains will be 1 AC 2-tier, 2 AC 3-tier, 13 Sleeper Class, 2 General Second Class and 2 luggage-cum-brake van coaches.The trains will stop at Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Jolarpettai, Katpadi, and Arakkonam. T.No.06626 will stop at Perambur also. T.No.06625 will stop at Coimbatore North also.
Advance reservation for the above trains will commence on 7.1.2012.
