Change in timings of Kochi-Bengaluru Vande Bharat train? Railway mulls new plan

KOCHI: Kochi - Bengaluru Vande Bharat special train service turned into a reality after much clamour from passengers. Much like the first two Vande Bharat introductions in Kerala, the third train is also topping the charts on occupancy rate. And now, Railway is considering extending the train service three days a week beyond August 26th. There are also plans to change the departure time of the train from Bengaluru.

Currently, the train departs from Bengaluru Cantonment Station at 5.30 am and reaches Ernakulam Junction at 2.20 pm. The Southern Railway has suggested that departure time from Bengaluru should be changed to 6.30 instead of 5.30. The time change is being implemented minding the difficulty among passengers to reach Cantonment station fighting the early traffic snarls.

However, the South West Railway, which includes Bengaluru, has not yet responded to the proposal of the Southern Railway. South West Railway has informed that there is no platform vacancy in Bengaluru central station for the Vande Bharat train connecting Kerala. According to IRTC, booking is 105% for Ernakulam Bengaluru service and 88% for Bengaluru Ernakulam service.

Most passengers hoping to visit Kerala on weekends are left dejected with ticket booking getting closed even weeks before.

There are 600 seats in eight coaches in chair and executive classes. Passengers demand that people's representatives, including ministers, intervene urgently to stabilise the service by allowing one more rake. Another rake was recently granted to Mangaluru-Goa Vande Bharat, which has an occupancy rate of only 31 per cent.