Kannur: Kerala’s railway network is undergoing a significant upgrade as the current eight-coach Vande Bharat trains will soon be replaced by 20-coach versions. This change will specifically impact the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram (20631/20632) Vande Bharat Express, which operates via Alappuzha. The upgrade aims to address the high demand for seats, as railway statistics reveal an average occupancy rate nearing 200%. In practical terms, this means every 100 seats in a coach accommodate up to 200 passengers across multiple journeys.
The existing Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram service, with 474 seats, consistently runs at full capacity. The introduction of 20-coach trains will expand the seating capacity to over 1,246, accommodating more passengers and improving travel comfort. Two newly manufactured 20-coach Vande Bharat trains, built by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, were recently handed over to Southern Railway. Priority is being given to routes with consistently high occupancy, including the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru and Tirunelveli-Chennai services.
Additionally, the Vande Bharat trains have undergone a colour transformation. Replacing the traditional blue-and-white scheme, the new trains sport a modern blend of orange, grey, and black. This redesign addresses complaints about yellow discolouration on earlier models and has been approved by Indian Railways. This upgrade not only enhances the functionality of Kerala’s rail services but also introduces a fresh aesthetic to its iconic Vande Bharat trains.
