Railways surprise for passengers of Kerala; New change in Vande Bharat from Thursday 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Considering the increasing rush, eight coaches have been added to the Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram (20631-20632) Vande Bharat train. The train started running with 16 coaches from Thursday.

One executive chair car and seven chair cars have been added. With this, there will be 14 chair cars and two executive coaches in the Mangalore train. Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod Vande Bharat has 20 coaches.

The Railway Board had approved a 16-coach train for the Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat earlier this month. Despite the huge rush of passengers, tickets were not available due to shortage of coaches. With the inclusion of eight coaches, 530 additional seats will be available.

The train, which will depart from Mangalore at 6.25 am, will reach Thiruvananthapuram at 3.05 pm. It will depart back at 4.05 pm and reach Mangalore at 12.40 am. If the current 16-coach service is profitable, a 20-coach train will be allowed on the Mangalore route.