VLNK/Velankanni (3 PFs)

वेलांकन्नि

வேளாங்கண்ணி

Track: Single Electric-Line

For those who want to go to VLNK church and getting down at Nagapattinam from Tea garden and Kamban. There is connecting DEMU perfectly placed in PF 3 of the station. Please note following points
A. as the time of writing this blog, NGT VLNK Express fare is Rs. 30
1. VLNK station is just 200m walk from VLNK bus stand. so distance of walk from NGT station to bus stop will be similar to VLNK station to bus stand. So dont listen to people who tells that getting via road is shorter...
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both r same time and walkability need (I myself local nagapattinam guy so u can 100% trust me in this)
2. if u r from first 7 coaches, ticket counter is in front, u can take ticket and move towards forward side walkway to get into PF 3. if u r in middle u can use FOB. only one person can go and get collective ticket
3. for those who took last 7 coaches, please collect the ticket from thiruvarur JN when the train is waiting. Tea garden mostly has water filling and kamban has loco reversal so last 10 coach people can get ticket in thiruvarur JN itself as ticket counter is in the last of the station. the fare is still Rs. 30 only and can use the backside walkway to reach PF 3 and get into first coaches of DEMU. U can mostly catch train as they ensure atleast 15 mins buffer time for people in nagapattinam.
4. Station to Church is walkable just go straight from station or take left u can find Church car and van park near the end of the line and follow pedastrian walk way street to get into back of bus stand which is near to church.
The VLNK NGT also u can follow above but ticket u can easily take in VLNK itself so u can board DEMU accordingly (i.e first 7 coach use last walk way, middle can use FOB and first can use first walkway from port).

For people visiting Velankanni for the annual Novena starting this month, a few tips/suggestions.
During the annual novena that begins as a preparation for the Feast of Nativity on September 8th, various arrangements are put in place at the station of Velankanni.
1. A medical contingent is placed at the station and has medicines for all common sicknesses such as fever, cold, travel sickness and so on. This is free of cost as far as I know.
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An Ambulance with all amenities is parked outside the station to serve in case of any emergencies.
3. A contingent of Tamil Nadu Police also keep a vigil round the clock.
A few tips:
*The shrine is at a walking distance from the station. So if you are able and fit, you can walk all the way. In fact, the basilica is visible from the station as well.
*After exiting from the station's main entrance, walk out through the gate and keep taking left turns until you pass by the dead end of the railway line guarded by a tall wall and then walk straight to enter the shrine area. The bus station is located here.
*A plethora of lodges/hotels are available outside the station. Rates will be high during the novena time. Bargain.
*Restaurants are aplenty and you can chose the place to dine based on your budget, cleanliness standards and variety.
*Speak in English if you do not know Tamil. Be firm whenever you are bargaining for something. Rates quoted will be 100-200% higher than the actual price of items.
*Travelling in general class, especially while returning back is NOT recommended. There will be huge queue guarded by police to board the general coaches and for the Vasco Sspecial which had a departure time of 23:00, people had started queuing up at 19:00 itself! This was on September 2nd when the crowd was not at its peak so you can imagine well, what the condition will be around September 8th.
Based on my observation in September, 2014.