The Southern Railways Thiruvananthapuram Division has recorded a revenue of ₹2,513.83 crore in the 2025-26 period, a growth of 7.51% over the previous year. The number of originating passengers increased from 108.26 million to 118.08 million during this period, registering a growth of 9.07%, Divyakant Chandrakar, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Thiruvananthapuram Division, has said.

He was speaking after hoisting the National Flag and receiving the Guard of Honour at a parade, comprising contingents of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and St. John Ambulance Brigade, organised here on Saturday as part of Independence Day celebrations.

748 special trains

Highlighting the division’s performance and achievements across various facets of railway working during 2025–26 and the current financial year, he said passenger demand has continued to rise in the division. The authorities here have facilitated the operation of 748 special trains and provided 572 additional coaches so far this year. The division also operated 6,802 freight trains, while maintaining punctuality above 86.74%, despite the increase in train services and maintenance schedules.

As passenger demand continues to grow, the Ernakulam–KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will soon be augmented from an 8-car to a 16-car rake, doubling its carrying capacity and offering greater convenience to passengers travelling between Kerala and Bengaluru, he said.

Offenders booked

On the security front, during the current year, 10,500 offenders were booked under the Railways Act. Legal action was taken against more than 8,500 violations affecting cleanliness and stolen railway property worth ₹11.46 lakh, apart from apprehending 57 criminals involved in theft of the belongings of passengers. Even more heartening, 356 cases of lost belongings of passengers, valued at ₹1.67 crore, were successfully traced and restored to owners, he said.

The railway forces also rescued 74 runaway and destitute children and saved 13 children from the human trafficking network, while detecting 71 narcotics cases involving substances worth ₹3.77 crore. He said the efforts of the staff led to the growth of the division. Independence Day celebrations were also held across railway stations, workshops and various field units of Thiruvananthapuram Division with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm.

Published - August 15, 2026 06:27 pm IST