Pathanamthitta: Even as the Minister of Railways reiterates that Kerala would be allowed one more Vande Bharat train, there is uncertainty about when it would happen.
The discussion to introduce the new Vande Bharat train in the Mangaluru – Thiruvananthapuram route has reached nowhere as the maintenance works at the Palakkad division mostly happen during the daytime. The line blocks for maintenance are during the day at the Palakkad railway division and at night in the Thiruvananthapuram division.
Even though the service could be introduced at any other route, instead of Manguluru, the railway board hasn’t even contemplated the possibilities for that.
The passengers from the Malabar region would be benefited, only if the train runs service from at least Kozhikode, if not Managaluru. There had also been demands to consider the Kozhikode – Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram – Coimbatore, and Bengaluru – Ernakulam routes for the new Vande Bharat train.
As the Vande Bharat service in Kerala is the busiest in the country, it has become inevitable that one more train should be allowed for the state. Meanwhile, the railway board is all set to introduce the third Vande Bharat Express from Chennai to Thirunelveli. This service is expected to begin from August onwards.
Bengaluru – Kerala Train Users Forum Secretary PG Venkatesh said that it would be beneficial for the passengers if the new Vande Bharat is allowed in the Ernakulam – Bengaluru route as this is the busiest sector in Kerala.
They are asking for a service that begins from Bengaluru early in the morning and reaches Ernakulam by noon on the same day. Besides, the forum points out that this service would be helpful for passengers in the Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, and Palakkad route.
