had to return disappointed for the second consecutive day after being informed that the railway authorities had not yet started reservations for the same.
According to the information, the pilgrims intending to leave for Vailankanni from Vasco started making a mad rush at Vasco Railway Station soon after receiving information that the South Western Railway has decided to start a special train to Vailankanni this year.
The pilgrims, who had queued up at the station counter , were disappointed after receiving the news that the train schedule is yet to be notified.
“Following South MP Narendra Sawaikar’s announcement in the newspapers informing about special train from Vasco to Vailankanni for the novenas and the feast with the dates of train departure (Sept 3 and 7) we had visited the station for reservations,” they said.
“We have been coming to the station for second consecutive day, leaving all our work aside as we wanted to book tickets for special train like we did in the past. Earlier, they used to open bookings for special trains 15 days prior. This time, they are yet to commence and are not even providing information on as to when the bookings will commence,” complained a Vasco resident.
Another resident said, “On Tuesday they asked us to come on Wednesday. However, when we visited the station on Wednesday, we were told that reservation for the special train was yet to begin.”
When contacted, Station Manager, P C Chacko, informed that though the special train service has been announced, the bookings cannot be made as the train schedule is yet to be notified. The same would be notified by Wednesday or Thursday.
