The Southern Railway is set to launch the much-awaited Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, a semi-high-speed train that will make travel between Kerala and Karnataka faster, safer, and more comfortable.
This new service will reduce travel time from the current 10–12 hours to just around 7 hours and 40 minutes, making it ideal for daily commuters, business travellers, and tourists alike.
Route and Key Stops
The train, numbered 26651/26652, will run between Ernakulam Junction (ERS) and KSR Bengaluru (SBC).
Along the way, it will stop at major commercial and industrial hubs, including:
Thrissur
Palakkad
Coimbatore
Tiruppur
Erode
Salem
Krishnarajapuram
This route not only boosts passenger convenience but also strengthens trade and connectivity between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Schedule and Frequency
The train will operate six days a week, with Wednesday reserved for maintenance.
Bengaluru → Ernakulam (Train 26651):
Departure: 05:10 AM from KSR Bengaluru
Arrival: 01:50 PM at Ernakulam
Ernakulam → Bengaluru (Train 26652):
Departure: 02:20 PM from Ernakulam
Arrival: 11:00 PM at KSR Bengaluru
The maximum speed of the train is 160 kmph, depending on track and safety conditions.
Coaches and Features
The train will have eight air-conditioned coaches:
7 Chair Cars
1 Executive Chair Car
Key features include:
Ergonomic seating for comfort
Automatic doors for quick boarding
GPS-based passenger information
Advanced braking and safety systems
This makes the journey fast, safe, and convenient for all passengers.
Kerala’s Growing Vande Bharat Network
The Ernakulam–Bengaluru route marks the third Vande Bharat train for Kerala, joining:
Kasargod–Thiruvananthapuram–Kasargod
Mangalore–Thiruvananthapuram–Mangalore
These trains have already reduced travel time and made intercity travel more convenient.
Boosting Regional Connectivity
With this launch, Southern Railway aims to:
Strengthen cross-state travel
Improve tourism and business connectivity
Offer a premium alternative to road travel
The new Vande Bharat Express highlights Indian Railways’ modernization efforts, focusing on speed, comfort, and reliability for passengers.
