South Central Railway announces special trains for Sankranti rush from Secunderabad

Hyderabad: In anticipation of the heavy travel demand during the Sankranti festival season, South Central Railway has announced the operation of six special trains to accommodate the increased number of passengers. These special trains will run between various destinations from January 10 to 13, 2025.

The first special train, numbered 07209, will run from Hyderabad to Kakinada Town on January 10, departing from Hyderabad at 20:15 and arriving in Kakinada Town at 08:00 the following day. On January 11, Train No. 07210 will operate in the reverse direction, departing from Kakinada Town at 17:40 and arriving in Hyderabad at 07:30 the next morning.

For those traveling to Tirupati, Train No. 07211 will depart from Hyderabad on January 12 at 21:45, arriving in Tirupati at 10:25 the next day. The return service, Train No. 07212, will leave Tirupati on January 13 at 16:35 and arrive back in Hyderabad at 07:50 the following morning.

Additionally, Train No. 07213 will run from Charlapalli to Kakinada Town on January 11, departing at 20:00 and arriving in Kakinada Town at 07:00 the next day. On January 12, Train No. 07214 will operate the reverse route from Kakinada Town to Charlapalli, leaving at 19:40 and arriving at 06:30 the following morning.

These special trains will make numerous stops at key stations along their routes. The Hyderabad-Kakinada Town special trains (07209 and 07210) will halt at Secunderabad, Charlapalli, Jangaon, Kazipet, Warangal, Mahbubabad, Dornakal, Khammam, Rayanapadu, Gudivada, Kaikluru, Akividu, Bhimavaram Town, Tanuku, Nidadavolu, Rajahmundry, Anaparthi, and Samalkot stations in both directions.

The Hyderabad-Tirupati special trains (07211 and 07212) will stop at Secunderabad, Kacheguda, Umdanagar, Shadnagar, Jadcherla, Mahbubnagar, Wanaparthi Road, Gadwal, Kurnool City, Dhone, Gooty, Tadipatri, Yerraguntla, Cuddapah, Rajampet, and Renigunta stations, also in both directions.

Meanwhile, the Charlapalli-Kakinada Town special trains (07213 and 07214) will stop at Jangaon, Kazipet, Warangal, Khammam, Vijayawada, Eluru, Tadepalligudem, Rajahmundry, and Samalkot stations in both directions.

These special trains aim to ease the travel burden as students and families begin their Sankranti holidays. Schools in Hyderabad and surrounding districts will be closed from January 13 to 17, 2025, with the reopening scheduled for January 18. The extended break will be longer than usual, as January 11 is a Second Saturday and January 12 is a Sunday. However, students will likely face formative assessment exams soon after the holidays end.

About Sankranti:

Sankranti, a significant festival in Indian culture, marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn (Makara Rashi) in the Hindu solar calendar. This event is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in several Indian states, symbolizing the end of the winter solstice and the start of longer days. In South India, it is an important cultural event, while in other parts of India, it marks the beginning of a new month in the sidereal solar calendar.