Railways ready with pongola arrangments in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Railways has made elaborate arrangement for devotees reaching Thiruvananthapuram for Attukal Pongala on Friday and Saturday. Six special trains, additional coaches in passenger trains, additional stoppages for express trains at smaller stations, additional ticket, information and announcement counters, medical aid centres, enhanced security coverage at stations and special escort for trains are among the measures taken.
After the pongala rituals trains towards Kollam Junction will be starting from Platform 4 and 5 and trains towards Nagercoil will start from platform number 2 and 3 of Thiruvananthapuram Central station. All long distance trains will be touching Platform 1. Twelve passenger trains running in Nagercoil -Thiruvananthapuram and Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam section will run with additional coaches (18 coaches each for 3 days) from March 9 to 11.
On the day of pongala, movement on foot overbridges at Thampanoor station will be regulated and will be in one direction only. There will be restriction on vehicle parking as a preventive security measure.
Additional bomb detection and dog squads have been mobilised. Extra lighting, announcement and first aid counters will be set up. Additional ticket counters will be opened at Thiruvananthapuram Central and other stations as per requirement. Additional ticket checking staff will be on duty to give guidance to devotees.
Railway officials appealed to the public not to place any hearth in the railway area to avoid possible fire hazard. They have also requested not to make contact with the high voltage overhead traction with long pole etc. Pongala rituals will not be permitted on platforms and sensitive areas.