New Onam Special Services
To cater to the surge in passenger traffic expected for the Onam festival, Southern Railway has rolled out two key pairs of special trains. These services will connect major hubs across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala during late July, August, and early
September 2026. The first is a weekly special between Mangaluru Central and Chennai Egmore (Train No. 06126/06125), which will run eight services in each direction on Mondays from Mangaluru and Wednesdays from Chennai. The second pair connects Thiruvananthapuram Central and Tambaram (Train No. 06128/06127), operating four services each way. These trains are specifically designed to ease the festive travel bottleneck, but their limited number of services means seats will be in high demand.
The Chennai Egmore Complication
Adding another layer of complexity to August travel plans is the major redevelopment work underway at Chennai Egmore station. From August 5th to August 20th, 2026, several key express trains will not operate from Egmore. Instead, they will originate from or terminate at Tambaram or Mambalam. For instance, the Chennai Egmore – Kollam Ananthapuri Superfast Express and the Chennai Egmore – Mangaluru Central Express will originate from Tambaram during this period. This temporary change affects not just passengers starting or ending their journey in Chennai, but also those with connecting trains, making it vital to verify the exact departure and arrival stations before travel.
The Return Journey Conundrum
The core challenge for many travellers this season will be securing a confirmed ticket for the return leg. Festival travel is often characterized by a massive, one-way exodus, followed by an equally frantic rush to return. Special trains are frequently announced to cater to the initial outward demand, but return services can be less frequent or scheduled on days that don't perfectly align with the end of the holiday period. The booking for these trains often opens just a few weeks in advance, leading to a rapid sell-out. When you combine this typical festival pattern with the disruption at Chennai Egmore, the risk of getting stranded without a confirmed return ticket is significantly higher. Your usual return train might be terminating at a different station, or its schedule may have changed, necessitating a complete rethink of your travel plan.
Strategies for a Confirmed Round Trip
Proactive planning is your best defense against travel uncertainty. First, as soon as special train announcements are made, check the schedule for both the onward and return journeys. Do not book a one-way ticket assuming you will find a return option later. Use the IRCTC website or official mobile app to view the complete schedule and availability for the round trip. Given the Egmore station work, double-check your departure and arrival points; your originating station for the return journey may be different from your arrival station. If you are booking online, have all passenger details ready to fill in quickly, as popular routes get booked within minutes. Also consider setting up alerts for when bookings open. If your preferred train is unavailable, check for services to or from nearby stations, which might have better availability. Flexibility with your travel dates, even by a single day, can make a huge difference in securing a confirmed berth.
