THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Information that the second Vande Bharat Express for Kerala has been given a stop at Tirur. This was clarified by ET Muhammad Basheer MP. He claimed to have received information in this regard from the Railways. He had earlier protested against not allowing a stop at Malappuram for the only Vande Bharat train currently operating in the state. The MP also stated that efforts will be made to allow Tirur stop for the first Vande Bharat also.

The second Vande Bharat for Kerala will start its service from the 24th. It is reported that the train will run six times a week. Prime Minister will flag off the train that starts from Kasaragod railway station at 12 noon on Sunday through online conference, but the ticketed service will start only from the 26th. There will be no service on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod route on Monday and the Kasaragod -Thiruvananthapuram route on Tuesday. These two days are for repair work.

The new Vande Bharat service will run on the route from Kasaragod to the capital. The route is fixed via Alappuzha. The schedule of the train is also ready. The service will start from Kasaragod at 7 am and reach Thiruvananthapuram at 3:05 pm. The train that leaves Thiruvananthapuram at 4:05 PM and will reach Kasaragod at 11:55 PM. Southern Railway has handed over an orange-grey coloured train with new changes to Kerala. Earlier there were reports that the train would be handed over to Kerala during Onam.