THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vande Bharat, which has been extended to Kasaragod, is likely to run its service to Mangalore soon. The service yard is being prepared in Mangalore, which has not been announced due to assembly elections in Karnataka.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Vande Bharat in Thiruvananthapuram on the 25th. Important matters including inauguration time will be decided today and tomorrow. The SPG team will reach Thiruvananthapuram today and the preparations will be under their supervision.

The opening day will be a complimentary service and passengers will be from an invited list. Today we will know whether the Prime Minister will travel a short distance on the first service. Regular service will start from the 26th.

The train's timetable, stops and ticket prices have not been officially announced. The proposal in this regard has been approved by the Divisional Officers and the General Manager of Southern Railway and submitted to the Railway Board. The official announcement will be made as soon as the approval is received.

Action on signal failure

Railways has ordered an inquiry against Divisional Chief Controller BL Kumar for failing to give a signal at Piravom near Ernakulam during Vande Bharat's trial service.

We need a stop at Chengannur: V Muraleedharan

Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, informed that the request to allow a stop at Shornur and Chengannur for the Vande Bharat Express allotted to Kerala has been brought to the attention of the Union Railway Minister. In the petition given by V Muralidharan, it was requested that Chengannur, which is relied upon by Sabarimala pilgrims, and Shornur, one of the biggest stations in Kerala, should be made part of the service.

Letter sent two years ago for Vande Bharat: Minister Balagopal

Minister KN Balagopal said that a letter was given to the Center two years ago requesting to allow Vande Bharat train to Kerala. Kerala should have got Vande Bharat earlier, but it is good that it came at last. Kerala also needs K-Rail. Metroman E Sreedharan himself said that Vandebharat cannot run fast on the tracks of Kerala. All railway tracks in Kerala should be strengthened. There is no point in a well-equipped train going at this speed. BJP is using Vandebharat for campaigning. The state has given Rs 6,000 crores to acquire land for the national highway and Kerala is the only state that has spent money for this purpose, the minister told media persons in Thiruvananthapuram.