Bengaluru and Ernakulam are set to experience a transformative upgrade in rail travel with the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express, commencing next week. This new service aims to bridge the distance between these two key cities, enhancing connectivity with its superior speed and comfort.
The Vande Bharat Express will commence its journey from Ernakulam on July 31, with the Bengaluru leg of the service starting from August 1. This premium train will operate thrice weekly, running 12 trips in each direction. Specifically, Train number 06001 will depart Ernakulam Junction at 12:50 PM, reaching Bengaluru Cantonment at 10:00 PM the same day. Conversely, Train number 06002 will leave Bengaluru Cantonment at 5:30 AM, arriving in Ernakulam Junction at 2:20 PM. The introduction of this service is in response to the anticipated surge in passenger demand, with the Vande Bharat Express designated as a special train for this period. According to Chief Public Relations Officer at Southern Railway, such special trains are a common strategy to accommodate peak season traffic. This new route is expected to be the fastest rail connection between Bengaluru and Ernakulam, covering the 608-kilometre distance in approximately nine hours.
This is a notable improvement over the current fastest trains, which take between 10 to 12 hours. The train will halt at Thrissur, Palakkad, Podanur, Tiruppur, Erode, and Salem, and will feature eight coaches designed to offer enhanced comfort and efficiency. The IRCTC has already initiated bookings for the Ernakulam to Bengaluru leg, with reservations for the return journey expected to open shortly. While the new service is welcomed as a significant improvement, some local observers have raised concerns about the train’s timings. KN Krishna Prasad of the Karnataka Railway Vedike noted that the departure and arrival times may not align well with the needs of many Bengaluru residents, particularly those working in the IT sector who prefer overnight travel.
Additionally, the absence of a stop at KR Puram, a major IT hub, has been flagged as a shortcoming. The Vande Bharat Express adds to Bengaluru’s growing roster of high-speed trains, which already includes services to Chennai, Mysuru, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Hyderabad, and Coimbatore. Plans for further Vande Bharat services, including a proposed route to Madurai, indicate a continuing expansion of premium rail connectivity across the region.
