The Indian Railways has introduced its third Vande Bharat train for Kerala, catering to the growing demand for faster and more comfortable travel options. Beginning on Wednesday, the train will operate on the Ernakulam—Bengaluru route three days a week, offering a convenient travel choice for commuters. The Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will depart from Ernakulam Junction at 12:50 PM, arriving in Bengaluru at 10:00 PM. On its return journey, it will leave Bengaluru Cantt at 5:30 AM, reaching Ernakulam Junction at 2:20 PM. The train will make stops at Thrissur, Palakkad, Podanur, Tirupur, Erode, and Salem, providing convenient access for passengers along the route.
Ticket bookings for the new service, managed by IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation), are already underway. The fare for traveling between Ernakulam and Bengaluru is ₹ 1,465 for an AC Chair Car and ₹ 2,945 for an Executive Chair Car. The Vande Bharat Express will operate from Ernakulam to Bengaluru on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Conversely, it will run from Bengaluru to Ernakulam on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays. This new train is anticipated to benefit numerous Malayalis employed in Bengaluru’s thriving IT sector, offering a convenient and efficient travel option.
India marked a significant advancement in rail technology with the introduction of indigenous semi-high-speed trains in February 2019. Initially known as Train 18 during production, these trains were renamed Vande Bharat Express upon their launch. Designed to achieve speeds of up to 180 km/h, Vande Bharat trains are often limited to 130 km/h due to track conditions. This maximum speed is achievable only on select sections of each route, resulting in lower average speeds despite the trains’ quick acceleration and deceleration capabilities. Nevertheless, Vande Bharat trains remain the fastest option on all their routes, providing a comfortable and efficient travel experience for passengers. The inaugural New Delhi-Varanasi route, despite being the longest, holds the record for the highest average speed at 95 km/h, showcasing the potential of these trains for high-speed travel.
