The 38th Division Railway Users Consultative Committee meeting held at Hubballi.
MARGAO
Railway users from Goa have made a strong case for increasing the number of special trains to Vailankani every year to cater to the growing requirements of pilgrims visiting Our Lady of Vailankani.
The demand was made by Augusto M Da Costa, who was nominated by South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes on the 38th Division Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC). Its meeting was held on Juen 20 in the Seminar Hall of the Chief Workshop Managers office, Gadag Road, Hubballi.
Bela Meena, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Huballi division being the Chairman of DRUCC, presided over the meeting which was attended by 13 members.
Costa informed the Chairman that special trains need to be added every year so that travelling becomes easy for devotees from Goa to visit Vailankanni to attend the novenas and feast. He further requested that these special trains between Vasco and Valankanni & return, for annual feast should start from August 27 till September 8, 2025.
He further requested the DRM to issue orders for the special trains at least more than one month in advance, so that devotees can smoothly plan their travel.
The Committee was of the opinion that it is operationally feasible for deployment of special trains and the proposal will be sent to CPTM/SWR proposing Special train from VSG- VLKN - VSG for three trips as per feasible time & date after approval DRM/UBL.
Another issue which was discussed at the meeting was of the weekly train to Vailankanni which leaves from Vasco on every Monday in the morning and reaches the next day afternoon to Vailankanni.
Since this train usually reaches little late, leaving devotees hardly any time for their pilgrimage, a request was made that train leaves Vailankanni the next day so that devotees get an extra day for their pilgrimage before starting their return journey. The DRM assured that this request will be discussed at the next meeting in the agenda.
