Kerala is preparing to welcome its second Vande Bharat Express, which will be painted saffron this time. While some may be confused about why another Vande Bharat is rolling down the same lines, the reason is simple: it’s all about satisfying the rising demand. Here’s everything you need to know about Kerala’s second Vande Bharat Express.
From Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram: An Important Route
Just a few months ago, Kerala welcomed the launch of its first Vande Bharat Express, a ground-breaking initiative that changed intra-state train travel. This exclusive train service connects Kasaragod in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south, passing through nine of Kerala’s 14 districts, including Kannur, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, and Kottayam. This historic journey has been a smashing success, leaving passengers wanting more of them.
Double the Delight: Kerala’s Second Vande Bharat
With the Lok Sabha elections approaching, the Ministry of Railways opted to provide Kerala with its second Vande Bharat Express. This deliberate approach attempts to bolster the BJP and NDA’s position in a state where they faced prior issues. Despite sweeping the country in 2019, the BJP-led NDA could not win a single seat in Kerala despite increasing their vote share to an amazing 15%.
So, why add a second train along the same route? This is a first in the history of Vande Bharat, and the reason is straightforward: unwavering popularity. The current Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express has consistently outperformed predictions, claiming a 190% occupancy rate just days after its inception. Despite the passage of time, the numbers remained impressive, consistently exceeding 170% occupancy.
Perfect Timing: Optimizing Connectivity
Both train schedules have been carefully scheduled to ensure that as many passengers as possible benefit from the services. Starting this Sunday, passengers can choose between a morning and an evening Vande Bharat from each end of the route.
The first Vande Bharat, which runs between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod, departs at 5:20 AM and arrives at 1:20 PM. It departs at 2:30 PM and arrives in Thiruvananthapuram at 10:35 PM on its return trip. In contrast, Kerala’s second Vande Bharat Express will depart Kasaragod at 7 a.m. and arrive in Thiruvananthapuram at 3:05 p.m. It departs at 4:05 PM for the return trip and arrives at 11:55 PM. This sophisticated scheduling guarantees that passengers from both ends of the journey arrive on time.
Kerala: The Most Well-Connected State with Vande Bharat
Only two districts in Kerala, Wayanad and Idukki, currently lack railway access. However, Vande Bharat trains will now connect 10 of the 12 districts with railway connectivity. Surprisingly, eight of these districts will be served by two Vande Bharat trains, totalling four runs. The trip via Alappuzha is 573 kilometres long, while the one via Kottayam is 586 kilometres long. Both trains complete this route in around eight hours, which is much faster than traditional trains, which often take 10-12 hours.
A Scenic Journey Awaits
Kerala’s second Vande Bharat Express will run from Kasaragod to Kannur, Kozhikode, Shoranur, Thrissur, Ernakulam Junction, Alappuzha, Kollam Junction, and finally Thiruvananthapuram Central. Passengers are in for an excellent journey into the heart of Kerala’s incredible scenery with the route change via Alappuzha.
The Need for Speed
Despite the fact that the current generation of Vande Bharat Express trains are capable of reaching speeds of up to 180 km/h, the average speed in India is around 85 km/h. The new Vande Bharat trains will also strive for faster speeds, making Kerala rail travel both effective and comfortable. The anticipation among Kerala residents is mounting as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to flag off this colourful saffron-hued train via Alappuzha on Sunday. This second Vande Bharat Express is more than just a train set to reduce travel time but also to boost connectivity and accessibility in the state. Railway authorities believe that the second Vande Bharat train will soon expand its services to Mangalore Central, strengthening the connection between Kerala and the nearby states even more.
The second Vande Bharat Express from Kerala is set to take passengers on an amazing journey through “God’s Own Country.” Kerala is setting new norms in connection and convenience with two Vande Bharat trains travelling on the same picturesque route. The overwhelming success of the initial service indicates the state’s need for quick and efficient rail travel. This second Vande Bharat Express intends not just to reduce travel time but also to improve interconnection and convenience, marking a major turning point in Kerala’s railway journey.
