Travel Guides & Articles
Onam travel woes: Skyrocketing fares dampen festive spirits for Bengaluru’s Malayalis | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: As Onam festival approaches, the city’s large Malayali population is facing a daunting challenge: skyrocketing travel fares.With the festival set for the first week of Sept, Keralites eager to reunite with their families are finding themselves priced out of the journey home.Private sleeper buses, a popular choice for many, have seen ticket prices to destinations such as Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode soar past Rs 3,000, with some operators charging as much as Rs 3,999 for a one-way trip. This means a round trip could cost nearly Rs 8,000 — steep for the average traveller. During normal days, a single journey on these routes would be around Rs 1,700.Air travel isn’t offering much relief. While flights to Kochi remain somewhat affordable, tickets to other Kerala airports cost nearly Rs 6,000, with prices peaking at Rs 9,000 during the week. This has forced many Bengaluru residents to reconsider their travel plans. “Normally, it costs me around Rs 1,000 to travel home by non-sleeper bus. Now, it’s over Rs 2,000, and even more just before Onam. I’ve decided not to go home this time,” said Ashok KA, a techie. Trains, often a more affordable option, are proving to be an unreliable alternative this year. Key trains to Kerala, such as the Mysuru-Thiruvananthapuram Express and KSR Bengaluru-Kanniyakumari Express, are fully booked, with waiting lists extending into the hundreds. “I booked my ticket 50 days in advance, but I’m still on waiting list 83. It remains to be seen if I’ll be able to travel. Flights are not an option as there’s no airport near my native place,” lamented Somaraj, a native of Alappuzha who runs a business in Hebbal.In response to the travel crisis, Indian Railways has introduced an Onam special train from Bengaluru. However, the Kannur-SMVT Bengaluru Onam Special, running a single trip in each direction, is seen as insufficient. “One train is not enough,” argued Rejikumar, general secretary of Kerala Samajam, Bengaluru. “There are thousands of Keralites in Bengaluru who want to travel back. Plus, this train only goes to Kannur, leaving those in southern Kerala without options. Trains are the cheapest mode of transport, especially for students,” he said.With limited travel options, Malayalis are forced to either drive home bearing high fuel and toll costs or restrict their festival celebrations to Bengaluru.
What’s the story
Chennai‘s Manali area witnessed a cloudburst on Saturday night, leading to heavy rainfall.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 10.6cm of rain from 10:00pm to 11:00pm and another 12.6cm from 11:00pm to midnight on August 30, 2025.
Wimco Nagar received the highest rainfall of 15.7cm during the hour from 11:00pm to midnight on August 30, followed by Korattur with 13.7cm and New Manali Town with 10.3cm during the same period.
Manali receives 27cm of rain
The IMD recorded over 100mm of rainfall in several parts of Chennai.
Manali received 27cm of rain while New Manali Town and Wimco Nagar received 26cm and 23cm, respectively, during a 24-hour period ending at 8:30am on Sunday.
Other areas such as Kathivakkam (13.6cm), Tiruvottiyur (12.6cm), and Ayapakkam (12.1cm) also witnessed heavy rainfall during this period.
Heavy rainfall affects air travel
The heavy rainfall in Chennai also affected air travel. Three flights from Frankfurt, Mangaluru, and New Delhi were diverted to Bengaluru as they couldn’t land at the city airport due to the weather conditions.
However, once the weather cleared up in Chennai, passengers were flown back from Bengaluru by different flights.
Weather forecast for Tamil Nadu
The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecasted light to moderate rain in isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal in the next 24 hours.
Strong winds with speeds of 40-50km/h are also likely over these areas.
This weather update comes after a similar pattern was observed on August 23 when several districts, including Chennai, received moderate to heavy overnight rains.
Travel Guides & Articles
Bullet Train in South India to connect 4 cities, including Hyderabad, Chennai; know key routes, travel time
A bullet train project has been proposed for South India, connecting Hyderabad, Chennai, Amaravati, and Bengaluru. CM N Chandrababu Naidu confirmed that a survey has been ordered. The project aligns with PM Modi’s vision to expand India’s high-speed rail network.
Bullet Train in South India to connect 4 cities, including Hyderabad, Chennai; know key routes, travel time
Andhra Pradesh CM, N Chandrababu Naidu has announced that a survey has been ordered for a bullet train project in South India, connecting four major cities. After the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, the government is now moving forward with South India as the next big hub for high speed connectivity.
South India bullet train route
The proposed bullet train project will connect Hyderabad, Chennai, Amaravati, and Bengaluru. Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu, speaking at the India Food Manufacturing Summit in Visakhapatnam, said that the survey for the project has already been ordered.
He highlighted that these four cities together represent a population of over five crore and one of the biggest markets in the world, making the project a game-changer for regional connectivity and economic growth.
ALSO READ: Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: First photos of stations of high-speed rail REVEALED, check here
PM Modi on expanding bullet train routes
The announcement came on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled in a bullet train in Japan alongside Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba. During his visit, PM Modi reiterated India’s ambition to expand the high-speed rail network and stressed that the government is committed to making bullet trains a part of India’s transport revolution.
Why does the bullet train project matter?
The South India bullet train project aims to drastically cut travel time between the four metros, boost business opportunities, and create a stronger regional economy. With improved connectivity, it is expected to benefit industries, tourism, and trade across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka.
ALSO READ: PM Modi’s Japan visit: AI, semiconductors, batteries, bullet trains…how can India-Japan stop China?
Travel Guides & Articles
Good News! South India To Get A Bullet Train Connecting These 4 Major Cities, Announces Andhra CM
Good news! India is now gearing up to welcome a bullet train in South India. It will connect four major cities and serve nearly five crore people across the region. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced this major project on Saturday during the India Food Manufacturing Summit. Here’s what we know.
A New Bullet Train Project In South India
India’s first-ever bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is already progressing in full swing and is expected to become operational next year. But in a recent development, one more bullet train might be added to the country. As per a report by Times Now, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu addressed the India Food Manufacturing Summit on Saturday. He announced that a bullet train is soon going to come to South India.
This major infrastructure project will connect Hyderabad, Chennai, Amravati and Bengaluru. Furthermore, the CM announced that road infrastructure will be upgraded to international standards. These large-scale infrastructure plans aim to transform the region into a major logistical hub.
Also Read: India’s First Bullet Train Update: Stations On Mumbai-Ahmedabad Corridor Nearing Completion
The Project Aimed To Boost Connectivity & Tourism
Reportedly, this bullet train will cater to a population of nearly five crore people across these four major South Indian cities. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also added that a survey has been ordered so people can understand how logistics and transport will improve once the bullet train materialises.
The announcement comes at a significant time as India is already working on its first bullet train project. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, which spans over 500 km, will feature 12 world-class stations. With this new project announced for South India, connecting Hyderabad, Amravati, Chennai and Bengaluru, travel time between these cities is expected to be cut drastically. Moreover, the project also aims to boost trade, manufacturing and tourism. It will make commuting much easier for millions of passengers.
The South India bullet train project marks a major move in upgrading the country’s transportation system. Surveys are still underway, but if this vision comes to life, the high-speed train will seriously redefine how people travel in the South. What do you think of this initiative? Let us know.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ David Dibert (Representative Image)
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First Published: August 31, 2025 12:08 PM
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