Will new Vande Bharat Express operate service in Kerala?  Five Vande Bharat Expresses to hit tracks

CHENNAI: Reports said five new Vande Bharat Trains manufactured at the Integrated Coach Factory (ICF), will soon hit the tracks. It is reported that the railway board will determine their destinations soon.

The final inspection of the orange-coloured trains, each comprising 16 coaches is underway. An ICF official informed that the railway board will decide the routes these trains will run. As of 2018, Chennai ICF has manufactured around 70 Vande Bharat rakes. The ICF has manufactured over 75,000 rail coaches in more than 500 designs. This financial year, the ICF is planning to manufacture 3,515 rail coaches, including 1,536 LHB coaches and over 650 Vande Bharat coaches. Vande Bharat trains have eight or 16 coaches. An ICF official also said that Vande Bharat trains with 20 to 24 coaches will be launched in future.

Meantime, the Malayalees are hoping that the new Vande Bharat will operate service in Kerala. Vande Bharat, which is serving in the state, is getting a good response. Tickets are often available only if booked weeks in advance. So, the passengers are hoping to get one of the new trains in Kerala.

R Pandya Raja, a former member of the Zonal Rail Users' Consultative Committee, had demanded a Vande Bharat connecting Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram. This was requested considering Sabarimala season.