Chennai: With the onset of the Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season and the upcoming Christmas celebrations, all train tickets from Chennai to southern Kerala are fully booked for the next 60 days. Travelers are finding no available seats on major daily routes, such as the Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram Mail (12623) and Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram Express (12695), due to a surge in demand.
The recent reduction of the train booking window from 120 to 60 days in October has intensified the early rush for seats, with travelers quickly reserving spots for the busy holiday season. Previously, tickets during the Christmas and New Year period sold out within days under the 120-day booking allowance. Now, with only a 60-day window, the scramble for tickets has accelerated, leaving no availability on any date leading up to the festivals.
The Sabarimala pilgrimage season, which begins on November 16, is a significant travel period, further increasing traffic between Chennai and Kerala as devotees head to the shrine. This heightened demand is expected to extend through the Makaravilakku festival in January, intensifying calls from travelers for additional special train services to ease the pressure on regular trains.
Due to the delay in announcing these additional services, private bus operators are reaping the benefits. With train tickets sold out, travelers are turning to buses, and many operators have raised prices in response to the high demand.
