Thiruvananthapuram: Southern Railway has put in place elaborate special arrangements at Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station in connection with Attukal Pongala festival. Parking at the station was strictly regulated from Sunday to Tuesday, in view of the heavy rush of devotees and ongoing redevelopment works at the station.Authorities said the second entrance on the Power House Road remains completely closed due to construction. Passengers, particularly pilgrims, were advised to use the main entrance at Thampanoor, the parcel office and premium parking entrance, or the underpass near Thycaud Women and Children’s Hospital overbridge. On Tuesday, trains towards Kollam Junction will depart from platforms 1 to 4, while services towards Nagercoil will operate from platform 5. To prevent crowding, entry to platforms will be regulated through three temporary covered holding areas. Unreserved tickets can be purchased at additional counters set up near these areas, and passengers will be allowed to proceed to platforms according to train schedules. Reserved ticket holders can directly access platforms through the main entrance portico. To ease congestion, temporary one-minute stoppages were arranged at Thiruvananthapuram Pettah station for several major trains, including Thiruvananthapuram Central–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express, Vande Bharat Express, Chennai-bound superfast services and select express trains. Railways will also operate special unreserved trains, including services between Thiruvananthapuram Central and Nagercoil Junction and between Ernakulam Junction and Thiruvananthapuram via Kottayam and Alappuzha, to facilitate the movement of devotees. Between 2pm and 4pm on Pongala day, special exit arrangements will be made for passengers arriving on Jan Shatabdi, Vande Bharat and Intercity Express trains. Thiruvananthapuram division’s medical branch deployed four fully equipped medical aid posts at key locations within the station premises. Senior doctors, nursing staff and members of St John Ambulance Brigade will be on duty. Three ambulances, along with emergency medicines, oxygen concentrators, wheelchairs and stretchers, will be kept ready. Railway authorities strictly prohibited lighting Pongala hearths anywhere within railway premises. Sitting or gathering on platforms and foot overbridges, and crossing railway tracks, are banned. Passengers were urged to follow instructions issued by the Railway Protection Force, police and railway officials to ensure smooth and safe travel during the festival rush.
