THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The speed of the Vande Bharat Express in Kerala will be increased from 130 to 160 km per hour by straightening the curves in the railway lines in 36-48 months and improving the signaling. After this, it will take six hours to reach Mangalore from Thiruvananthapuram and five and a half hours to Kasaragod.

This is the assurance of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the inauguration of Vande Bharat. The audience received the minister's words with applause.

In 18-24 months, Vande Bharat can run at a speed of 110 kmph. Ernakulam - Shornur 3rd lane, track strengthening and signaling will be done by then. With the current curves, the train can only attain speeds of 80-90 kmph.

"The prime minister is planning development with a vision for the next fifty years. Development and investment projects worth Rs 10,000 crore rupees are underway in Kerala. India is rapidly moving towards the goal of becoming 'digital India'.

A growth of Rs 2033 crore this year

In Kerala, which has a population of three and a half crore people, till 2014, only 370 crores of development was done in the railways sector. It doubled, tripled and quadrupled after Modi came to power. The Prime Minister has announced projects worth Rs 2033 crores this year alone. 34 stations like Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Varkala, Chengannur and Thrissur will be made world-class. The renovation will be done by maintaining the uniqueness of Thiruvananthapuram Central Station.