Kannur: Kerala is set to welcome a 20-coach Vande Bharat train on Friday, replacing the current 16-coach Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram service (20634/20633). The train was certified for operation after a thorough inspection by the mechanical engineering department at Chennai Central Basin Bridge. It has since departed for Kochuveli, marking a significant upgrade for the state’s railway services.
The introduction of 20-coach Vande Bharat trains is a recent initiative by Indian Railways. The Chennai Integral Coach Factory has produced two such trains, one assigned to the Southern Central Railway and the other to the Southern Railway. Due to route planning uncertainties, the Southern Railway’s train had remained idle in Chennai. It is now being deployed to Kerala, enhancing the existing Vande Bharat service.
The upgrade will add 312 seats to the 16-coach train’s current capacity of 1,016 seats, addressing its near 200% occupancy rate. With over 200 passengers vying for 100 seats, the expansion is expected to provide significant relief to commuters.
Meanwhile, the 16-coach train will serve as a temporary spare for Southern Railway, covering maintenance downtime for the Mysuru-Chennai Vande Bharat service in February. This maintenance occurs every three years. Additionally, the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru Vande Bharat, currently operating with eight coaches, is also slated for a 20-coach upgrade in its second phase.
This expansion reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to improving passenger experiences and meeting the growing demand for Vande Bharat trains in Kerala.
