Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains, marking a significant advancement in India's rail connectivity and passenger comfort. The newly launched semi-high-speed trains promise to revolutionize inter-city travel across multiple states.
Major Boost for Southern Connectivity
The Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express stands out as a game-changer for connectivity between Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. This eight-coach premium train will cover the 583-kilometer distance in just 8 hours and 40 minutes, slashing the previous travel time by an impressive 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Scheduled to commence operations from November 9, the train will run six days a week, excluding Wednesdays. The service will depart from Bengaluru at 5:10 AM and arrive at Ernakulam by 1:50 PM. On the return journey, it will leave Ernakulam at 2:20 PM and reach Bengaluru by 11:00 PM.
Key Stations and Regional Impact
The Bengaluru-Ernakulam route connects several important urban centers, including:
- Thrissur
- Palakkad
- Coimbatore
- Tiruppur
- Erode
- Salem
- Krishnarajapuram
- KSR Bengaluru
This inter-state service is expected to significantly boost business, education, tourism, pilgrimage, and healthcare travel sectors in the high-traffic demand corridor. Notably, this becomes the third Vande Bharat train operating from Kerala, enhancing the state's rail infrastructure.
Nationwide Vande Bharat Expansion
Prime Minister Modi flagged off all four new trains from his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi on November 8, 2025. The other three services include:
Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express: Connecting prominent cultural and religious destinations, this train will cover 443 km in 7 hours 40 minutes, becoming the fastest train on the Varanasi-Khajuraho route.
Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express: Reducing travel time by approximately one hour, this service will cover the distance in about 7 hours 45 minutes, improving access to Haridwar via Roorkee.
Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat Express: Touted as the fastest train on this route, it will complete the journey in 6 hours 40 minutes, connecting Delhi to major cities in Punjab.
Premium Onboard Experience
According to Southern Railways officials, the Vande Bharat trains offer a comfortable, safe, and premium travel experience with modern amenities including:
- GPS-based infotainment systems
- Bio-vacuum toilets
- Ergonomic seating arrangements
- Automatic doors
- Reading lights
- Wi-Fi connectivity
The Railway Ministry highlighted that more than 164 semi-high-speed trains now criss-cross the country, effectively bridging economic, social, and cultural barriers while transforming India's transportation landscape.
The introduction of these new Vande Bharat Express services represents a significant step forward in India's rail modernization efforts, offering passengers faster, more comfortable, and technologically advanced travel options between major urban centers.
