Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off Kerala’s third Vande Bharat Express, connecting Ernakulam with Bengaluru. The launch turned into a celebration filled with music, pride, and emotion.
He inaugurated the service virtually from Varanasi, while a festive ceremony unfolded at Ernakulam South railway station.
Students from local schools sang patriotic songs inside the gleaming blue-and-white coaches, creating a joyful atmosphere as the train prepared for its maiden run.
Kerala Governor Rajendra V Arlekar, Union Minister George Kurian, and State Law Minister P Rajeeve attended the ceremony. They joined MPs Hibi Eden and TJ Vinod to flag off the train in person.
Southern Railway described the occasion as a ‘melody of joy,’ capturing the enthusiasm of passengers and staff as the semi-high-speed train rolled out to applause and cheers.
Though the departure was scheduled for 8 am, the train began its inaugural journey at 8:45 am, symbolising another leap in Kerala’s rail connectivity.
The Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express had completed its trial run just a day earlier.
With its launch, Kerala’s fleet of Vande Bharat trains continues to expand, redefining short-distance intercity travel across southern India.
During the same ceremony in Varanasi, the Prime Minister inaugurated four other Vande Bharat services. These new routes connect Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Firozpur, Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru.
The new train will cover 608 km in just nine hours. It will halt at 11 stations-Thrissur, Shoranur, Palakkad, Podanur, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Jolarpettai, Krishnarajapuram, and KSR Bengaluru.
It will depart from Ernakulam at 2:20 pm and arrive in Bengaluru at 11 pm, while the return journey will commence at 5:10 am from Bengaluru and reach Ernakulam at 1:50 pm.
Railway officials said the new service will enhance connectivity between Kerala’s commercial capital and Karnataka’s technology hub. It will benefit business travellers, students, and tourists.
Music, cheers, and national pride filled the air as the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express rolled out. The train stood as a symbol of India’s growing speed, comfort, and shared aspirations.
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