EXTENSION OF WEEKLY SPECIAL TRAINS TO CLEAR PONGAL FESTIVE RUSH To provide a more comfortable journey and manage the extra rush during the upcoming Pongal festive season, Indian Railways has announced the extension of several weekly special trains. The details of the extended services are as follows: VISAKHAPATNAM - TIRUPATI - VISAKHAPATNAM WEEKLY SPECIAL TRAINS (08583 / 08584) Train No. 08583 (Visakhapatnam to Tirupati) This weekly special will depart Visakhapatnam every Monday at 19:10 hrs from 05.01.2026 to 23.02.2026, reaching Tirupati at 09:15 hrs the next day (Total: 08 trips). Train No. 08584 (Tirupati to Visakhapatnam) This weekly special will leave Tirupati every Tuesday at 21:50 hrs from 06.01.2026 to 24.02.2026, arriving in Visakhapatnam at 12:30 hrs the following Wednesday (Total: 08 trips). Stoppages: Duvvada, Anakapalle, Yelamanchali, Annavaram, Samalkot, Rajahmundry, Nidadavolu, Tanuku, Bhimavaram, Akividu, Kaikalur, Gudivada, Vijayawada, Tenali, Chirala, Ongole, Nellore, Gudur, Srikalahasti, and Renigunta.

SHORT TERMINATION OF COACHING TRAINS DUE TO SAFETY MODERNIZATION WORKS In light of ongoing safety-related modernization works and a traffic cum power block on the KK line of Waltair Division, the following coaching trains will experience short termination and short origination at Araku: Train No. 58501 -Visakhapatnam to Kirandul Passenger: This train, departing from Visakhapatnam on 23.12.2025, 27.12.2025, 03.01.2026, and 05.01.2026, will be short-terminated at Araku. Train No. 58502 - Kirandul to Visakhapatnam Passenger: This train will originate from Araku instead of Kirandul on 23.12.2025, 27.12.2025, 03.01.2026, and 05.01.2026. Passengers are requested to take note of these changes and plan their travel accordingly. The inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.

INDIAN RAILWAYS TO RUN SPECIAL TRAINS BETWEEN SECUNDERABAD AND SRIKAKULAM ROAD TO CLEAR SANKRANTI RUSH To ensure a comfortable journey for passengers and to manage the heavy rush during the Sankranti festival season, Indian Railways has announced the operation of several special trains between Secunderabad, Srikakulam Road and Vikarabad. A total of eight special services will be operated between Secunderabad and Srikakulam Road under Train Nos. 07288/07289, 07290/07291 and 07292/07293 on various dates in January 2026. In addition, one special service will run between Vikarabad and Srikakulam Road under Train Nos. 07294/07295. The special trains from Secunderabad will depart at 19:00 hrs on the notified dates and reach Srikakulam Road at 12:30 hrs the next day, after a brief halt at Duvvada. The return services from Srikakulam Road will depart at 15:30 hrs and reach Secunderabad at 08:10 hrs the following day. These trains will halt at important stations including Charlapalli, Kazipet, Warangal, Khammam, Eluru, Rajahmundry, Samalkot, Annavaram, Tuni, Anakapalli, Duvvada, Vizianagaram and Chipurupalli, among others. The Vikarabad special will also stop at Secunderabad en route. The rakes will comprise a mix of AC, Sleeper and General Second Class coaches, along with luggage-cum-brake vans, ensuring adequate accommodation across all travel classes to meet passenger demand during the festive period. Passengers are advised to make use of these special services to plan their Sankranti travel conveniently.

SPECIAL TRAINS BETWEEN VISAKHAPATNAM AND HYDERABAD DURING SANKRANTI FESTIVAL SEASON Dr. Kasapu V. V. V. Satyanarayana, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, and Member, Department of Policy Research, Bharatiya Janata Party, Andhra Pradesh, has submitted a representation to the Railway authorities seeking the operation of additional special trains between Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad in view of the heavy passenger rush during the Bhogi, Makara Sankranti, and Kanuma festivals. Highlighting the cultural and religious importance of these festivals for the Telugu community, he pointed out that a large number of passengers, including students, employees, farmers, and migrant workers, travel between Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad to celebrate with their families. He noted that most trains on this route are currently running with “Regret” status and that waiting lists have exceeded maximum limits, indicating exceptionally high demand. He urged the Railways to introduce more special services in both directions and, if required, divert or temporarily allocate rakes from other divisions or zones to meet the surge in travel demand. The request also suggested operating festival special trains for several days before and after the festivals, augmenting existing trains with additional coaches, issuing advance travel notifications through various platforms, and enhancing ticketing and enquiry facilities at Visakhapatnam Railway Station. The representation called for urgent action to ensure passenger convenience, effective crowd management, and smooth travel during the festive season.

SPECIAL TRAINS BETWEEN VISAKHAPATNAM AND SMV BENGALURU TO CLEAR PASSENGER RUSH In a bid to clear the extra rush of passengers, East Coast Railway will run Special Train Nos. 08501/08502 between Visakhapatnam and SMVT Bengaluru. These special trains are scheduled to operate on specific dates to provide added convenience for travelers. Below are the details of the special train services: Special Train Details: Train No. 08501 - Visakhapatnam to SMVT Bengaluru Special: Departure: Visakhapatnam on 15.12.2025 (Monday) at 15:20 hrs. Arrival: SMVT Bengaluru on 16.12.2025 (Tuesday) at 12:45 hrs. Train No. 08502 - SMVT Bengaluru to Visakhapatnam Special: Departure: SMVT Bengaluru on 16.12.2025 (Tuesday) at 15:50 hrs. Arrival: Visakhapatnam on 17.12.2025 (Wednesday) at 13:30 hrs. Train Composition: The special trains will run with a total of 20 coaches, which include: 1 Coach of 2nd AC (Air-conditioned) 2 Coaches of 3rd AC (Air-conditioned) 12 Coaches of Sleeper Class 3 Coaches of General Class 2 Second-Class Luggage Cum Brake Vans Stoppages: The special trains will make stops at the following stations en route: Duvvada Anakapalli Samalkot Rajahmundry Vijayawada Ongole Nellore Gudur Renigunta Katpadi Jolarpettai Bangarpet Krishnarajapuram Arrival and departure timings at these stations will be notified accordingly. Passenger Advisory: Passengers are requested to take advantage of this special train service to ease their travel experience during the peak rush period. For further details, passengers can contact their nearest railway station, visit the official Indian Railways website, or check the NTES (National Train Enquiry System).