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Goa Representative Pushes for Special Velankanni Trains at 38th DRUCC Meeting

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Hubballi, June 20, 2025 — The 38th Division Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) meeting was held in the Seminar Hall of the Chief Workshop Manager’s Office, Gadag Road, Hubballi, bringing together railway officials and user representatives to discuss issues affecting passengers in the South Western Railway zone.

The meeting was chaired by Smt. Bela Meena, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Hubballi Division, and attended by 13 DRUCC members. Among the key participants was Shri Augusto M Da Costa, who represented South Goa Member of Parliament, Capt. Viriato Fernandes.

Focus on Velankanni Special Trains for Goan Devotees

During the meeting, Shri Augusto M Da Costa highlighted a pressing concern for pilgrims from Goa — the need for annual special trains to Velankanni, Tamil Nadu, to coincide with the novenas and feast celebrations held from 27 August to 8 September each year. These religious events attract thousands of devotees from Goa and other parts of the country.

“Goan devotees face challenges planning their journey to Velankanni every year. To ease their travel, it’s essential that special trains be scheduled and announced well in advance,” said Da Costa.

He specifically requested that special trains from Vasco-da-Gama (VSG) to Velankanni (VLKN) and back be arranged for this period annually. He also urged the DRM to issue orders at least one month in advance to ensure devotees have sufficient time to plan their pilgrimage.

Positive Response from Railway Officials

The committee was receptive to the proposal, noting that the operation of such special trains during the Velankanni feast season is both feasible and in public interest. It was resolved that the proposal would be forwarded to CPTM/SWR (Chief Passenger Traffic Manager, South Western Railway) for approval. If approved, three trips of a special VSG–VLKN–VSG train will be scheduled at feasible dates and times.

Weekly Velankanni Train Timing Concerns Raised

Another issue brought to the committee’s attention was the inconvenience caused by the weekly train from Vasco to Velankanni, which departs on Monday mornings and arrives in Velankanni on Tuesday afternoons. Devotees have expressed concern that the train arrives too late, leaving them with little time to engage in pilgrimage activities before having to return.

Shri Augusto M Da Costa proposed a simple but impactful solution — to allow the train to halt at Velankanni for an extra day, giving pilgrims sufficient time for their religious observances.

In response, DRM Bela Meena assured the committee that this suggestion would be considered seriously and included in the agenda of the next DRUCC meeting for further discussion and decision-making.

The discussions at the 38th DRUCC meeting reflect the critical role that user representatives and community leaders play in shaping public transportation services. With cooperation from South Western Railway authorities, Goan pilgrims may soon have more convenient and accessible travel options to one of their most cherished religious destinations.

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FLY91 Launches Direct Goa–Solapur Flights, Strengthening Regional Air Connectivity Across Maharashtra

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FLY91, India’s fast-growing regional airline, has expanded its network with the launch of direct flights between Goa and Solapur. This latest addition underscores the airline’s continued commitment to improving last-mile connectivity and linking underserved destinations across the country.

With Solapur now on its route map, FLY91 connects a total of eight destinations, including four in Maharashtra—Pune, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg, and now Solapur. The airline’s strategic focus on regional cities is helping bridge critical gaps in India’s aviation ecosystem, making air travel more accessible and efficient.

This new direct service connects two important centers—Goa, India’s premier beach and tourism destination, and Solapur, a culturally rich city in southwestern Maharashtra. Solapur holds historical, religious, and industrial significance and serves as a major access point to five renowned pilgrimage sites: Pandharpur, Tuljapur, Akkalkot, Gangapur, and Bhimashankar. The new flight is expected to particularly benefit religious tourists, many of whom previously relied on long and less convenient modes of travel.

According to Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO of FLY91, “This launch showcases FLY91’s mission to enhance connectivity to vital but traditionally underserved destinations.” The Goa–Solapur route is not only a boost to religious tourism, but also supports business, academic, and leisure travel between the two regions. With Solapur’s strong presence in the textile industry and Goa’s growing role as a technology and lifestyle hub, the connection is set to foster greater regional collaboration.

The airline also expressed its gratitude to key stakeholders including the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Government of Maharashtra, whose support has been crucial in enabling this growth. FLY91 continues to operate from Manohar International Airport (Mopa) in Goa, where it is steadily strengthening its presence as a regional hub for western and southern India.

Bookings for the Goa–Solapur route are now open, offering passengers a quicker, more reliable alternative to road or rail journeys. With regional air travel playing an increasingly important role in India’s transportation landscape, FLY91 is well-positioned to lead the charge in connecting Bharat’s heartlands with speed, safety, and comfort.

To explore schedules or make bookings, passengers can visit www.fly91.in.