Indian Railways Launches Third Vande Bharat Express in Kerala: Connecting Ernakulam to Bengaluru
Indian Railways has formally inaugurated its third Vande Bharat Express service in Kerala. It is expected to provide a direct link between Ernakulam and Bengaluru. It is envisioned that the new train service will enable people to travel faster and more comfortably between the two important cities.
Train Schedule and Route Details
The new Vande Bharat Express will run three days a week: Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. This makes the train very convenient for business persons and tourists alike.
Departure and Arrival Times
The train will leave Ernakulam Junction at 12:50 PM and reach Bengaluru Cantt at 10:00 PM. In the return direction, the service will leave Bengaluru Cantt at 5:30 AM and reach Ernakulam Junction at 2:20 PM.
Key halts on the Vande Bharat Express
While on its run, the Vande Bharat Express will have a few very key halts to pick up passengers who commute between Kerala and Karnataka. It will stop at the following locations:
Thrissur
Palakkad
Podanur
Tirupur
Erode
Salem
Astrategic choice of stops for high commuter accessibility and to assist commuting for people to visit relatives or even conduct business across state borders.
Advantages to Passengers
The introduction of the Vande Bharat Express service has come particularly at a good time for Malayalis who make up a large percentage of Bengaluru’s IT workforce. It is designed to run at speeds of 180 km/h, thus becoming the fastest service on this route, even though some existing track limitations have to be surmounted.
More Comfort and Convenience
Passengers stand to benefit in several ways
Reduced Travel Time: Travel time between Ernakulam and Bengaluru gets considerably reduced by the Vande Bharat Express; hence, it becomes very attractive to both daily commuters and weekend travelers.
Modern Amenities: It features modern facilities with comfortable seating, clean restrooms, and onboard catering services. This commitment to the comfort of passengers enhances the travel experience on the whole.
Punctuality: The train being driven with a tinge of time management, one expects it to be more punctual. Hence, the fear of delays will not keep passengers on tenterhooks, enabling them to schedule journeys according to their convenience.
Other Vande Bharat Express Trains in Kerala
There are already two other Vande Bharat Express services in Kerala, extending connectivity of the state to major cities.
1. Kasaragod to Trivandrum Central
Train Number: 20633
Route: This train runs between Kasaragod and Trivandrum Central halting at all major stations such as Kannur, Kozhikode, Shoranur, Thrissur, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Chengannur, and Kollam.
Timetable: It leaves Kasaragod at 2:30 PM and reaches Trivandrum by 10:40 PM.
2. Mangalore to Trivandrum Central
Train Number: 20631
Route: The train runs between Mangalore Central and Trivandrum Central; on its way, it halts at important stations like Kollam, Kottayam, Thrissur, Shornur, Kozhikode, and Kannur.
Duration: The journey will take an approximate 8 hours and 40 minutes.
Implications for Regional Connectivity.
The third Vande Bharat Express flagged off in Kerala is going to be a boon for regional transport. It will bring in added advantages to passengers not only traveling between Ernakulam and Bengaluru but also tourists and local economic activities.
Impact on the Local Economy
Improved connectivity between these two important cities will boost the confidence of local businesses. Increased transport facilities make professionals easily accessible, and hence economic activities and interactions between Kerala and Karnataka are also fostered.
Promotion of Tourism
This can inspire tourists from Bengaluru to come and have a view of the scenic beauty and cultural heritage of Kerala at convenience in travel. Such a fast journey can facilitate weekend getaways or even a longer vacation, helping the tourism sector grow.
Conclusion
The inaugural run of the third Vande Bharat Express connecting Ernakulam and Bengaluru was one of the important developments in the railway network of India and a step further toward betterment in regional connectivity. The new train service will redefine the travel experience for the passenger through its modern amenities, efficient service, and strategic stops.
At a time when Indian Railways has embarked on some pathbreaking initiatives in terms of diversification and expansion of its offerings, the Vande Bharat Express truly epitomizes ‘New India’ for faster, safer, and more comfortable travel to every citizen of this country.
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