Kerala is set to welcome its third Vande Bharat Express, with the Union Government approving a new Ernakulam–Bengaluru route, marking a major boost to the state’s rail connectivity. The announcement came following a virtual meeting between Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
According to officials, the new semi high-speed train will operate via Thrissur and Palakkad, and services are expected to begin by mid-November. The route is aimed at easing travel for thousands of Malayalis commuting between Bengaluru and Kerala, particularly IT professionals and business travelers.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chandrasekhar said the new service will bring much-needed relief along one of South India’s most congested corridors. He added that the initiative reflects the Centre’s continued commitment to enhancing connectivity and infrastructure in Kerala.
Railway Minister Vaishnaw confirmed that Chandrasekhar’s proposal for the new route was accepted and announced that 488 festive special trains will also be operated across Kerala to manage the surge in passenger traffic during the holiday season.
With this latest addition, Kerala’s Vande Bharat network now strengthens its position as a key hub in India’s expanding high-speed rail system, symbolizing faster, safer, and more comfortable inter-state travel for lakhs of passengers.
