CHENNAI: The railway has allotted a second Vande Bharat to Kerala. The first rake consisting of eight coaches will leave Mangalore this evening. Kerala will get a rake with a change in colour and design. This rake is allotted by the Palakkad Division.

Two routes are being considered for the second Vande Bharat allotted to Kerala. Mangalore- Thiruvananthapuram and Mangalore- Ernakulam routes are presently under consideration. It is estimated that two rakes will be required if Mangalore- Thiruvananthapuram is to be implemented.

Kerala was waiting for a second Vande Bharat for a long time. The railway recently stated that Thiruvananthapuram–Kasaragod Vande Bharat is the busiest service in the country.