Divisional Railways Users Consultative Committee member August D'Costa addreses media persons on Thursday.
VASCO
In a major relief for Goan pilgrims travelling to Vailankanni for the annual feast, a ticket booking counter for the special Vasco-Vailankanni trains will open on Friday at 8 am.
This was announced by Divisional Railways Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) member August D'Costa during a media briefing on Thursday. D'Costa informed that the special trains (07361/07362) between Vasco and Vailankanni have been sanctioned for three trips each. Train 07361 (Vasco–Vailankanni) will depart on August 27, September 1, and September 6, while Train 07362 (Vailankanni–Vasco) will return on August 29, September 3, and September 8.
“These trains will have 21 coaches including AC, sleeper, and general class. I urge pilgrims to book early to avoid the rush,” said D'Costa, adding that schedule details are available at Vasco station and on the NTES and IRCTC portals.
D’Costa credited South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes for backing the demand and said he was personally directed to pursue the matter in Hubli. “I had been directed by MP Capt. Viriato Fernandes to go to Hubli as the DRUCC member and follow up on the issue of special trains for the Vailankanni feast,” he said.
“I was helped by Railways Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Santosh Hegde, who immediately called the headquarters to seek confirmation from the Chennai side for the Vasco–Vailankanni train.”
Explaining the coordination needed between zones, D'Costa said, “Vasco falls under South Western Railways headquartered in Hubli, but Vailankanni comes under the Trichinapalli division. While we could secure approvals from Vasco, the platform slot at Vailankanni had to be confirmed by the other division.”
He added that the special trains were often confirmed at the last minute in previous years, but this time, the team pushed for early approval. “These orders would usually come very late, but we insisted that we be informed at least one month in advance. Accordingly, we’ve now been informed that bookings will begin from tomorrow,” D’Costa stated.
He also revealed that a request has been made for an additional day’s stoppage at Vailankanni. “We have also written a letter requesting an additional day stoppage at Vailankanni for the pilgrims and it has almost been accepted,” he said. “People can go to their nearest railway station and book their train tickets from tomorrow for the Vailankanni feast. I appeal to everyone to make the most of this service,” D'Costa concluded.
