CHENNAI: Southern Railway on Wednesday announced a temporary two-minute stoppage for select Express trains at Srirangam railway station to facilitate passenger movement during the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival at Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple.

The special arrangement will be in effect from December 28 to December 31, coinciding with the peak influx of devotees to the temple town.

According to an official press release issued by Southern Railway, the measure aims to ease congestion and provide better connectivity for pilgrims visiting Srirangam during the annual festival period. The stoppage will apply only for the specified dates and times.

The trains covered under this temporary arrangement include:

• Chennai Egmore – Karaikudi Superfast Express

• Chidambaram – Kanniyakumari Superfast Express

• Erode – Kollam Express

• Tirunelveli – Chennai Egmore Superfast Express

• Mangaluru Central – Chennai Egmore Superfast Express

• Chennai Egmore – Madurai Superfast Express

Train timings at Srirangam will vary by service, with arrivals scheduled during early morning and late-night hours to align with festival travel demand.

Railway officials stated that the decision was taken after assessing expected passenger volumes and in coordination with local authorities to ensure smooth operations. Passengers are advised to verify train schedules before travel, as the stoppage is strictly temporary and limited to the notified period.

Srirangam, one of the most prominent pilgrimage centres in Tamil Nadu, witnesses a significant surge in visitors during Vaikunta Ekadasi, necessitating special transport arrangements each year.