Palakkad Railway Division will oversee this service

Service to commence after maintenance line at Mangalore Central is done

PM Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the service

The eagerly anticipated second Vande Bharat Express train in Kerala is set to operate between Mangalore Central and Kochuveli railway stations, according to sources.

The Palakkad Railway Division will oversee this service, which will commence once the maintenance line at Mangalore Central is done, as stated by the source.

At present, work related to installing overhead electrical equipment (OHE) in one of the three pit lines, specifically on the Attavar entry side at Mangaluru Central, is nearing completion. The final steps to convert the pit line into a dedicated maintenance line for the Vande Bharat trains will conclude in just a few days.

This maintenance line will be employed for electrical and mechanical inspections, cleaning, washing, and any necessary repairs.

The Railway Board will make an official announcement regarding the service’s commencement date once the maintenance line is ready and Vande Bharat rake operators have completed their training. According to the current plans, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the service, which could happen within the next 10 days.

The official also disclosed that a group of experienced operators has been undergoing specialized training in Chennai to operate the Vande Bharat trains since the third week of August.

Notably, the Vande Bharat Express running on the Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram route boasts the highest occupancy rate in the country, followed closely by the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod service.