Coimbatore: The third Vande Bharat Express train connecting Ernakulam and Bengaluru received a warm and enthusiastic welcome at the Coimbatore railway station on Saturday morning. The semi high-speed train, virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks another major milestone in southern India’s modern rail connectivity.
The train was ceremonially flagged off at Coimbatore by Mayor R Ranganayaki and Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Salem Division, Panna Lal, upon its arrival at 12:10 pm. The event drew participation from BJP cadres, railway officials, and members of passenger associations, who celebrated the occasion by distributing sweets to passengers and onlookers.
Railway officials confirmed that ticket bookings for the new service between Ernakulam and Bengaluru will open early next week, likely on Monday or Tuesday, after which the regular service will commence.
According to official data, the train will make stoppages at Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, and Salem, completing its Ernakulam–Bengaluru journey in 8 hours and 40 minutes. The Coimbatore–Bengaluru stretch will take around 5 hours and 30 minutes.
The schedule specifies that the train will depart Bengaluru at 5:10 am and reach Ernakulam at 1:50 pm. On the return leg, it will leave Ernakulam at 2:20 pm and arrive in Bengaluru by 11 pm. The service will run six days a week, excluding Wednesdays for maintenance.
When asked about travel time comparisons with other Vande Bharat routes, DRM Panna Lal explained, “The Ernakulam–Bengaluru train operates via the Salem–Tirupathur route, allowing speeds up to 110 kmph. However, the Coimbatore–Bengaluru route runs via Dharmapuri, where the current track allows only 50 kmph.”
He further noted that this is the third Vande Bharat train connected to Coimbatore, with existing services running between Coimbatore–Chennai and Coimbatore–Bengaluru. The new train, he added, will particularly benefit IT professionals and business travelers from Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, and Salem, providing a faster and more comfortable commute to Bengaluru.
The DRM also stated that the Railways would consider introducing additional trains once infrastructure upgrades and track enhancements to support higher speeds are completed. Passenger demand and route capacity will play a key role in future planning, he added.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
