The protracted delay in the deployment of the Vande Bharat Express on the high-demand Ernakulam-Bengaluru route has sparked significant concern among passengers. Despite the arrival of an eight-coach rake in Kerala in April, intended for operation on this crucial corridor, the train remains largely idle at Kollam. It occasionally runs on the Kollam-Kochuveli stretch to ensure it stays in operational condition.
This delay has exacerbated the transportation woes of passengers, who are increasingly dependent on inter-State luxury buses. These buses have not only contributed to traffic congestion on highways but have also been involved in several accidents. A recent incident in Kochi involved an illegally modified Nagaland-registered bus with worn tyres that skidded off the NH Bypass, leading to the tragic death of a young motorcyclist and injuries to a dozen passengers. Another accident on the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway saw a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation’s Kozhikode-Bengaluru sleeper bus crash into a wall, injuring 15 passengers.
The idling Vande Bharat rake at Kollam has drawn criticism from various quarters. Venkitesh T.G., the secretary of the Kerala-Bengaluru Train Users’ Forum, voiced his disappointment, emphasising the urgent need for the train to be operational on the Ernakulam-Bengaluru route. He highlighted the growing demand for reliable train services on this stretch and urged the Railway Board to expedite the deployment process. The Railway Board has yet to confirm when the idling Vande Bharat Express rake will be deployed on the Bengaluru route, leaving passengers in a state of limbo. The current situation underscores the necessity for prompt action to address the transportation needs of commuters, alleviate highway congestion, and enhance travel safety. “The Railway must rise to the occasion since it is tough to get flight and bus tickets between the two cities that are also home to major IT hubs, tourism locales and hospitals. All trains on the stretch are reserved three months in advance, leaving those who need to travel urgently for professional, family or emergency reasons in the lurch,” he said.
