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Hubballi–Ramanathapuram Weekly Special: Who Needs This New Route — And Why It’s Only for 3 Weeks

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Published on: 7 Aug 2025

Hubballi–Ramanathapuram Weekly Special: Who Needs This New Route — And Why It’s Only for 3 Weeks

A temporary weekly train service will run between Hubballi and Ramanathapuram from August 9 to 31, 2025. This special connects the southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, offering a direct rail link between key cities like Hubballi, Davanagere, Bengaluru (Banaswadi), Salem, Tiruchirappalli, and Karaikkudi. Aimed at addressing seasonal passenger demand, the service bridges a long-standing gap in east-west connectivity across the Deccan and Southern Peninsular regions.

WHO: Key Stakeholders

Passengers: Pilgrims, migrant workers, and students gain a rare direct link between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Indian Railways (SWR): Operating authority.
Major towns en route: Hubballi, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Karaikkudi, Ramanathapuram.

WHAT: The Train in Numbers

Train Numbers: 07355 (Hubballi → Ramanathapuram), 07356 (return)
Frequency: Weekly
- 07355 departs Saturdays
- 07356 departs Sundays
Journey Duration: ~22 hours 10 minutes
Coach Types:
- AC 2-Tier
- AC 3-Tier
- AC 3-Tier Economy
- Sleeper Class
- General Second Class

WHEN: Timings & Service Window

Train 07355: Departs Hubballi Saturday 06:50, arrives Ramanathapuram Sunday 05:00
Train 07356: Departs Ramanathapuram Sunday 22:00, arrives Hubballi Monday 19:40
Operation Dates:
- From Hubballi: Aug 9, 16, 23, 30
- From Ramanathapuram: Aug 10, 17, 24, 31

WHERE: Route Highlights

States Covered: Karnataka & Tamil Nadu
Key Stops:
- Karnataka: Hubballi, Davanagere, Tumkur, Banaswadi
- Tamil Nadu: Hosur, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Karaikkudi, Ramanathapuram
Rural Connects: Chikjajur, Pudukkottai, Sivaganga

WHY: The Reason Behind the Route

Addresses seasonal travel surges: Religious tourism (Rameswaram), Onam, and worker migration.
Pilot Trial: A 4-week trial to assess demand for a long-term route.

“Such temporary specials help gauge long-term feasibility without committing rolling stock permanently.” - Rail Analyst Sudhir Rao

HOW: Booking & Alternatives

Tickets: Via IRCTC or railway counters.
No pantry car: Passengers should carry food.
No direct alternatives: Existing options require multiple changes.

Timetable (Train Nos. 07355 & 07356)

Train No. 07355 - Hubballi → Ramanathapuram (Departs Saturday)

Station	Arrival	Departure
Hubballi	—	06:50
Haveri	07:45	07:47
Ranibennur	08:16	08:17
Harihar	08:38	08:40
Davanagere	08:55	08:57
Chikjajur	09:35	09:37
Birur	10:23	10:25
Arsikere	11:05	11:15
Tiptur	11:43	11:45
Tumkur	12:23	12:25
Banaswadi	14:41	14:43
Hosur	15:38	15:40
Dharmapuri	16:30	16:32
Salem	19:50	19:55
Namakkal	20:44	20:46
Karur	21:58	22:00
Tiruchirappalli	00:22	00:27
Pudukkottai	01:45	01:47
Karaikkudi	02:10	02:12
Sivaganga	02:43	02:45
Manamadurai	03:30	03:35
Ramanathapuram	—	05:00

Train No. 07356 — Ramanathapuram → Hubballi (Departs Sunday)

Station	Arrival	Departure
Ramanathapuram	—	22:00
Manamadurai	22:58	23:00
Sivaganga	23:17	23:20
Karaikkudi	00:05	00:07
Pudukkottai	00:35	00:37
Tiruchirappalli	01:49	01:54
Karur	03:48	04:00
Namakkal	04:19	04:20
Salem	05:45	05:50
Dharmapuri	07:13	07:15
Hosur	08:38	08:40
Banaswadi	10:00	10:02
Tumkur	11:18	11:20
Tiptur	13:18	13:20
Arsikere	13:50	14:00
Birur	14:33	14:35
Chikjajur	15:14	15:15
Davanagere	15:53	15:55
Harihar	16:15	16:17
Ranibennur	16:37	16:39
Haveri	17:09	17:11
Hubballi	—	19:40

India

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Quick Info

What dates is the special train running in August 2025?

From Hubballi: August 9, 16, 23, 30. From Ramanathapuram: August 10, 17, 24, 31.

Which states are connected by this train service?

The train connects Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, offering a direct route between major towns in both states.

What are the train numbers for the Hubballi–Ramanathapuram route?

The train from Hubballi to Ramanathapuram is numbered 07355, and the return train from Ramanathapuram to Hubballi is 07356.

What days do the Hubballi–Ramanathapuram trains operate?

Train 07355 departs Hubballi on Saturdays, and train 07356 departs Ramanathapuram on Sundays during the operational period.

What is the journey duration of the Hubballi–Ramanathapuram special train?

The train journey takes approximately 22 hours and 10 minutes to complete one way.

What is the new temporary train service between Hubballi and Ramanathapuram?

It is a weekly special train service introduced by Indian Railways connecting Hubballi in Karnataka to Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu, running from August 9 to 31, 2025, to address seasonal travel demand and improve east-west connectivity.

What are the main stations on the Hubballi to Ramanathapuram route?

Major stations include Hubballi, Davanagere, Banaswadi (Bengaluru), Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Karaikkudi, and Ramanathapuram.

Who are the primary beneficiaries of this train service?

The train benefits pilgrims, migrant workers, students, and others traveling between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Why was the Hubballi–Ramanathapuram train service introduced?

It was introduced to meet seasonal passenger demand, particularly during festivals and migration peaks, and to test the feasibility of a permanent east-west rail link.

What types of coaches are available on the special train?

The train includes AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, AC 3-Tier Economy, Sleeper Class, and General Second Class coaches.

Is there a pantry car on this train?

No, there is no pantry car. Passengers are advised to carry their own food.

How can tickets be booked for the Hubballi–Ramanathapuram train?

Tickets can be booked via the IRCTC website or at physical railway reservation counters.

Are there any direct alternatives to this train route?

No, currently there are no direct train alternatives; travelers would typically need to change trains to complete the journey between these two regions.

What rural areas does the train connect?

It connects rural towns such as Chikjajur in Karnataka and Pudukkottai and Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu.

What time does Train 07355 leave Hubballi and arrive in Ramanathapuram?

Train 07355 departs Hubballi at 06:50 on Saturdays and arrives in Ramanathapuram at 05:00 on Sunday.

In-Depth Answers

What time does Train 07356 leave Ramanathapuram and reach Hubballi?

Train 07356 departs Ramanathapuram at 22:00 on Sundays and arrives in Hubballi at 19:40 on Monday.

What is the purpose of the 4-week trial service?

The 4-week service is a pilot to assess passenger demand and route viability before considering long-term implementation.

How long is the route from Hubballi to Ramanathapuram?

While the article doesn’t state the exact distance, the journey duration of over 22 hours suggests a long route connecting two distant regions in southern India.

Which railway zone is operating the special train?

The South Western Railway (SWR) zone is responsible for operating the train.

Which religious destinations does the route serve?

The train facilitates travel to Ramanathapuram, which is a key access point for pilgrims visiting the famous Rameswaram temple.

Does the train help with Onam travel demand?

Yes, the train addresses seasonal surges like those around Onam, offering added capacity during the festive travel period.

Who provided expert commentary on the train's significance?

Rail Analyst Sudhir Rao highlighted the importance of temporary specials for evaluating long-term route feasibility.

What major junctions are included in the train's route?

Major junctions include Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Salem, and Banaswadi, among others.

How does this train impact east-west rail connectivity?

It helps bridge a long-standing gap in direct rail connectivity across the Deccan plateau and southern peninsula.

Is this train service expected to become permanent?

The service is currently a trial, and its continuation will depend on the demand observed during this four-week period.

How does the train schedule benefit migrant workers?

The weekend schedule aligns with common leave patterns, making it easier for workers to travel home without extended time off.

Are both day and night travel included in the journey?

Yes, the journey spans both day and night hours, with departures in the morning or late evening and arrivals on the following day.

What makes this train unique among services between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu?

It provides a rare direct service between western Karnataka and deep-south Tamil Nadu, a route typically requiring multiple changes.

How frequently does the train run each week?

It operates once a week in each direction—07355 on Saturdays and 07356 on Sundays.

What type of economy class is available on the train?

The train offers AC 3-Tier Economy class in addition to regular AC and non-AC sleeper and general compartments.