PM Modi to virtually inaugurate Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express today
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Kochi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the Ernakulam–KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express on Saturday, marking Kerala’s third Vande Bharat service and the 12th pair under Southern Railway.
The Prime Minister will flag off the inaugural special train via video conferencing from Varanasi, as part of a broader rollout that includes three other Vande Bharat services: Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, and Firozpur Cantt–Delhi.
Southern Railway officials said the new service will strengthen regional connectivity between Kerala and Karnataka, enhancing economic and social ties. The train is expected to benefit professionals, entrepreneurs, and students by offering faster, more comfortable travel between Ernakulam and Bengaluru.
Train number 06652 will depart Ernakulam Junction at 8 a.m. and arrive at KSR Bengaluru at 5.50 p.m. the same day. It will run via Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, and Krishnarajapuram, with ceremonial events planned at each station. Live streaming of the Prime Minister’s address will be organised at all major halts, with participation from elected representatives, officials, students, and the public.
The eight-coach rake is equipped with modern passenger amenities and is part of Indian Railways’ ongoing push to expand semi-high-speed connectivity across southern India.
Kerala currently operates two Vande Bharat pairs, both of which report high occupancy on most days.
(Inputs from IANS)