Vande Bharat faces setbacks elsewhere, heads to Kerala as a boon for Malayalis

KOZHIKODE: The announcement that the Vande Bharat Express, which runs from Goa to Mangalore, will be extended to Kozhikode was made months ago but nothing much happened in this regard later. Now, MK Raghavan MP has informed that the railways are progressing in extending the service to Kozhikode. The MP said that he clarified this during a discussion with Union Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav.

With this Vande Bharat service running to Kerala, the total number of Vande Bharats in the state will increase to three. Recently, a special service was run from Kochi to Bengaluru, but it was later stopped. It is reported that the Vande Bharat, which currently runs from Goa to Mangalore, is making a loss. On most days, the service is run with half the seats empty. It is expected that it will be profitable with its extension to Kerala.

Discussions are currently underway to implement the new timetable. The MP informed that it will be extended to Kozhikode once it is completed. BJP National Executive Committee member PK Krishnadas had also said that Minister Ashwani Vaishnav has taken a positive stand in extending the Goa-Mangalore Vande Bharat Express to Kozhikode.

Meanwhile, no decision has been taken on extending the express train running from Bengaluru to Kannur to Kozhikode. It has been a month since Minister Ashwani Vaishnav gave his assurance in this regard. The Railway Board has decided to extend train 16511/12, which runs from Bengaluru to Kannur via Mangaluru, to Kozhikode. The Railway Board took a decision in this regard ten months ago.

However, it is reported that the action is being delayed due to the opposition of BJP MPs in Karnataka. However, since it is a move that will benefit the passengers of Malabar, the BJP Kerala unit is supporting the demand to extend the train to Kozhikode. Passengers and public representatives believe that the decision will be implemented soon.