November 23, 2024 10:18 AM.
The East Coast Railway has announced special trains between Srikakulam Road and Kollam and extended the Visakhapatnam-Kollam special service to manage the rush of Ayyappa devotees.
Train No. 08553 will run from Srikakulam Road to Kollam every Sunday from December 1, 2024, to January 26, 2025. It departs Srikakulam Road at 6 AM, reaches Duvvada at 8:52 AM, and arrives in Kollam at 2:30 PM on Monday.
In return, Train No. 08554 will depart Kollam every Monday from December 2, 2024, to January 27, 2025, at 4:30 PM. It reaches Duvvada at 10:40 PM the next day and Srikakulam Road at 2:30 AM on Wednesday.
Another train, the Visakhapatnam-Kollam special, Train No. 08539, will operate every Wednesday from December 4, 2024, to February 26, 2025. It will leave Visakhapatnam at 8:20 AM and reaches Kollam at 12:55 PM on Thursday. The return train, No. 08540, will depart Kollam every Thursday from December 5, 2024, to February 27, 2025, at 7:35 PM and arrive in Visakhapatnam at 11:20 PM on Friday.
Both trains will halt at major stations, including Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Renigunta, Katpadi, Salem, Erode, Palakkad, Ernakulam Town, and Kayamkulam. The trains will have AC, sleeper, and general compartments, ensuring comfort for passengers.