Centre’s Onam gesture: Kerala granted second Vande Bharat Train

In a gesture timed for Onam, the central government has allocated a second Vande Bharat Train to Kerala. The initial set of eight coaches is scheduled to depart from Mangalore today. This time, Kerala will receive a train with altered color and design, facilitated by the Palakkad Division.

For the second Vande Bharat Train assigned to Kerala, two potential routes are being evaluated: Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram and Mangalore-Ernakulam. Should the Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram route be chosen, it is projected that two trains will be needed to fully implement the service.

The anticipation for a second Vande Bharat Train has been long-standing in Kerala. Notably, the Thiruvananthapuram–Kasaragod Vande Bharat route was recently identified as the most heavily trafficked service in the nation.