Team Goemkarponn
Vasco: South Goa Member of Parliament Viriato Fernandes has urged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to sanction an additional weekly summer special train between Vasco-da-Gama and Velankanni, citing a sharp rise in demand from pilgrims.
In a letter dated April 18, Fernandes highlighted that the existing weekly Vasco-da-Gama–Velankanni train (No. 17315) is insufficient to accommodate the growing number of devotees, particularly during the peak summer holiday season in May. He noted that the current service, which takes approximately 27 to 28 hours, often leaves many passengers without confirmed seats.
The MP pointed out that Goa witnesses a significant movement of pilgrims to Velankanni during this period, driven by school and college vacations. “Thousands of pilgrims are left disheartened as they do not get seats or berths,” he said in the communication.
To address the issue, Fernandes proposed the introduction of an additional weekly train for the entire month of May. According to the suggested schedule, the special train would depart Vasco-da-Gama on Wednesdays morning, reach Velankanni by Thursday afternoon, and return the following day to arrive back in Goa on Saturday.
He also recommended that at least 75 percent of the berths on the additional train be reserved for passengers boarding from Goa and travelling directly to Velankanni.
Calling it a “spiritual requirement” of the people, Fernandes expressed hope that the Railways would respond positively to the request ahead of the upcoming pilgrimage season.
