More Sabarimala special trains promised; Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express extended
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More Sabarimala special trains and a Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express extension were announced on October 21, 2026 after a meeting with the Railway Minister.
What Happened
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has agreed to run additional special trains to Kerala from several cities in north, west and south India for the coming Sabarimala pilgrimage season and to extend two existing train services, according to Kerala BJP leaders who met him. Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, that the Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express would be extended to Thiruvananthapuram as one of the decisions from the meeting. Detailed schedules, routes and the number of extra trains have not yet been officially announced by the Railways.
Key Facts
- According to BJP leader P.K. Krishnadas, additional Sabarimala special trains are to be arranged from cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Indore, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, Hubballi, Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express (train 13351/13352) has been extended to Thiruvananthapuram.
- Reports say the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express is to be extended to Kasaragod.
- Southern Railway has been asked to improve passenger amenities at key gateway stations for pilgrims, particularly Chengannur and Kottayam, according to reports.
- The announcements followed a meeting between the Railway Minister and Kerala BJP leaders; the Railways have not yet published schedules.
- The Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season at Sabarimala begins in mid-November and runs to mid-January.
Why It Matters
The Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Kerala draws pilgrims from across India, and especially from the southern states, during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season. Many travel by train to gateway stations such as Chengannur and Kottayam. Every season, trains to Kerala fill up quickly, and pilgrims from farther away, in north and west India, have fewer direct options.
Special trains from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Indore would give pilgrims from those regions a more direct route and ease pressure on regular services. For pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, services from Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Hubballi would add seats on some of the busiest corridors. Better facilities at Chengannur and Kottayam, where crowds peak during the season, would affect the comfort and safety of large numbers of travellers.
The extension of the Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express to Thiruvananthapuram matters beyond the pilgrimage. The train connects Dhanbad in Jharkhand with Kerala, giving passengers a long-distance link between eastern India and the state. Extending it to the state capital would give these passengers a direct link to Thiruvananthapuram rather than ending at Alappuzha.
Readers should note what is and is not settled. The information so far comes from statements by political leaders after their meeting with the minister. Until the Railways publish train numbers, timings and booking dates, travellers cannot reserve seats on the new services, and the exact list of cities could change. Pilgrims planning trips should watch for official notices from the Railways and Southern Railway.
| Announced change | Status |
|---|---|
| Special trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Indore, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, Hubballi, Hyderabad, Secunderabad | Assured, per BJP leaders; schedules awaited |
| Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express to Thiruvananthapuram | Extension announced by Rajeev Chandrasekhar |
| Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express to Kasaragod | Extension reported |
| Amenities at Chengannur and Kottayam | Southern Railway asked to improve |
Impact
Short-term: Pilgrims and travel organisers can expect more train options for the Sabarimala season once the Railways publish schedules. Booking for the special trains will open only after official notification.
Long-term: If the Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express extension takes effect, it will add a lasting direct link between eastern India and Thiruvananthapuram, useful well beyond the pilgrimage season.
Who is affected: Sabarimala pilgrims from across India; travellers between Kerala and eastern states; passengers at Chengannur and Kottayam stations; and railway staff managing the seasonal rush.
Key Takeaway
More Sabarimala special trains from cities across India and an extension of the Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express to Thiruvananthapuram have been announced after a meeting with the Railway Minister, but official schedules are still awaited.
Questions and Answers
Which cities will get Sabarimala special trains in 2026?
According to Kerala BJP leaders who met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, additional special trains are to be arranged from cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Indore, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, Hubballi, Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The Railways have not yet published schedules.
Has the Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express been extended?
Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on October 21, 2026, that the Railways have extended the Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express to Thiruvananthapuram. An official schedule for the extended service has not yet been published.
When can pilgrims book the new Sabarimala special trains?
Only after the Railways officially notify the trains with numbers and timings. Pilgrims should watch for notices from the Railways and Southern Railway.
When does the Sabarimala pilgrimage season begin?
The Mandala-Makaravilakku season at Sabarimala begins in mid-November and continues into mid-January.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
