THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A senior railway official has been suspended for the delay of Vande Bharat Express by two minutes. The officer suspended is identified as P L Kumar of Thiruvananthapuram Division Office. His suspension was revoked following the intervention of laborers’ unions.

The Vande Bharat Express got delayed by two minutes during the trial run as the first signal was given to Venad Express in Piravom the other day. Action was taken against him for this.

The arrival of Venad Express at Piravom station and the trial run of Vande Bharat were at the same time. Venad Express was given signal to pass as there were more passengers and following this Vande Bharat got delayed.

Vande Bharat completed its trial run from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur in 7.10 hours yesterday. The distance between Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur is 501 km. Tried to reach in six hours. Presently Rajdhani arrives in 7.57 hours. Vande Bharat will have one more trial run before the inauguration.

The railways has started construction of a third track on the Shornur-Eranakulam route for Vande Bharat to reach from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur in less time. Only 110 kmph speed is possible in Shornur- Mangalore section presently. The maximum speed on the Ernakulam-Shornur route is 80 kmph. Considering this, steps were taken for the third track. Initially, the speed on the proposed route will be above 110 kmph.

In Thiruvananthapuram-Kayamkulam section, the speed is 100 kmph and Kayamkulam-Ernakulam is 90. The speed can be increased only after the completion of track straightening, metal strengthening and heightening works and installation of high-capacity sleeper and rail. Steps for it have started.

Vande Bharat started its trial run from Thiruvananthapuram at 5.10 am yesterday. A similar timetable is being considered. The train from Ernakulam to Thiruvananthapuram is at 11 pm after Jan Shatabdi at 5.30 pm. The time for the return service in the evening will be fixed after considering this.