T’puram: The railways have planned to facilitate safe and convenient travel for passengers during the Pongala Mahotsavam at Attukal Bhagavathi Temple on March 3. These include the operation of special train services, provision of additional stoppages, augmentation of ticketing facilities and strengthening of security arrangements. On the festival day, passenger movement at T’puram Central Station will be streamlined and trains bound towards Kollam will depart from platforms one, two, three and four, while trains towards Nagercoil will depart from platform five. Additional ticket counters will be opened at entry and exit points, and unreserved ticketing system (UTS) and UTS-on-mobile QR code counters will also be arranged on platforms at T’puram Central, said a press release. Security arrangements were strengthened with enhanced crowd-control measures and regulated platform access. The railway protection force, in coordination with govt railway police, local police and other authorities, will monitor and manage passenger safety. Special teams comprising medical, commercial and security personnel will be deployed at key locations. Additional train services will be operated between Ernakulam Jn and T’puram Central, and between T’puram Central and Nagercoil Jn.Nagercoil Junction – T’puram Central Unreserved Special will leave at 1.40am on March 3 and arrive at T’puram Central at 3.30am. Ernakulam Jn – T’puram Central Special will depart at 1.20am on March 3 and arrive at T’puram Central at 6.30am. T’puram Central – Ernakulam Jn Special will depart at 3.10pm and arrive at Ernakulam Jn at 8.15pm. T’puram Central – Ernakulam Jn Special via Alappuzha will depart at 2.40pm on March 3 and arrive at Ernakulam Jn at 7.10pm.
