THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with students on the train before flagging off Vande Bharat today. Students who have proved their ability in various fields have been selected for this. The flag-off ceremony is at 10.30 am at the Central Railway Station. The Prime Minister will meet the students at 10.20. Modi will also talk to loco pilots.
1000 students will travel for free from various stations. The first trip will have 1000 passengers full-time, 200 media persons, and around 100 rail fans. 25 security officials and the same number of railway police will be on the journey. Railways informed that all MPs and MLAs of the state have been invited for the journey. There are 14 stops on today's journey and the train will be welcomed everywhere. Publicity programs including flash mobs have also been organized.
First trip like this --
Station ---------------------------- Time
Thiruvananthapuram Central----10.30 am
Kollam--------------------------------------11.29am
Kayamkulam----------------------------- 12.07pm
Chengannur----------------------------- 12.29pm
Thiruvalla---------------------------------- 12.40pm
Kottayam----------------------------------- 1.35pm
Don't throw Town----------------------- 2.42 pm
Chalakudy --------------------------------- 3.25pm
Thrissur--------------------------------------- 3.52 pm
Shornur-------------------------------------- 4.39pm
Tirur-------------------------------------------- 5.36pm
Kozhikode------------------------------------6.33pm
Thalassery----------------------------------- 7.44 pm
Kannur----------------------------------------8.01pm
Payyannur----------------------------------- 8.23 pm
Kasaragod-----------------------------------9.15pm
Food costs from 65 to 350
65 rupees meal included with Vandebharat train short-journey ticket. A full-time passenger will get food worth Rs.350. Tickets can also be purchased without food included. IRCTC will provide food worth Rs 290 in the chair car on the long journey Kasaragod- Thiruvananthapuram route. It costs Rs 350 in executive class, which includes extra menu including juice. 65 rupees will be charged for food for short distance journey in chair car and 105 rupees will be charged in executive class.
The menu has not been announced but will be similar to the Vandebharat run in Chennai. In Chennai-Mysore Vande Bharat Tea/Coffee Biscuits at 5.50 am. Later breakfast is idli, vada etc. in veg category and Bread Omelet, Cutlet etc. in Non Veg category. Then a cool drink and afternoon tea/coffee biscuits will be served on trips after noon. Light food for dinner. Food will be delivered from the base stations since there are no pantry cars. Water and a newspaper will be provided to every passenger.