Wait for Vande Bharat from Chennai to Kerala gets longer

KOCHI: The Indian Railways started a Vande Bharat service from Ernakulam to Bengaluru after a long wait. With this, a major problem of the passengers was solved. This service is a blessing for the Malayalees, including those working in Bengaluru. While the Malayalees in Bengaluru are happy with the arrival of the new Vande Bharat, the wait for the Vande Bharat from Chennai to Kerala route is getting longer.

There is also resentment among passengers that Chennai is being left out of services like Vande Bharat. The Vande Bharat Special service was successfully run on the Chennai-Kottayam route. In such a situation, the passengers are asking why the new service has not been started. Chennai is one of the busiest routes from Kerala like Bengaluru. If a service to Chennai is also started, it will be a blessing for the Malayalees.

The railways initially planned to start a service from Chennai to Ernakulam via Bengaluru. However, for some reason, this plan was abandoned and the Bengaluru-Ernakulam train was announced. During the Sabarimala season in 2023, eight Vande Bharat Special services were operated from Chennai to Kottayam and back. The train departed from Chennai at 4.30 am and reached Kottayam at 4.15 pm, and the return service departed from Kottayam at 4.40 am and reached Chennai at 5.15 pm.

The train had stops at Ernakulam, Aluva, Thrissur and Palakkad in Kerala. Therefore, it was very beneficial for other passengers besides Sabarimala pilgrims. In addition, a special service was also operated from Chennai to Kozhikode during the Christmas in 2023, keeping in mind the rush. With the success of both these services, there was hope that a regular service might be operated. However, no talks were held later.