The 20631/20632 Mangaluru Central - Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express is India's 33rd Vande Bharat Express train, connecting South Karnataka's coastal city Mangaluru (Mangalore) with Kerala's south and state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the second Vande Bharat Express in Kerala as well as India's first saffron coloured semi-high speed train (replaced with White Blue Vandebharat rake of the pairing train after extension to Mangalore Central). The first Vande Bharat train in Kerala started its service between Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram via Kottayam route in April 2023. [1] With increase in patronage, there has been a strong demand by the passengers to have a second Vande Bharat between Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram so as to increase the frequency of this route per day to three trains. This vande bharat express is the fastest train between Mangaluru Central to Thiruvananthapuram Central and vice versa
| Mangaluru Central - Thiruvananthapuram Central Vande Bharat Express | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 First Saffron-Grey Mini Vande Bharat Express at Trivandrum Central departing for Kasaragod | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service type | Vande Bharat Express | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Active | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Karnataka and Kerala | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First service | 25 September 2023 (Commercial run) 12 March 2024 (Extended run) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current operator(s) | Southern Railways (SR) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Route | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini | Mangaluru Central (MAQ) Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stops | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance travelled | 620 km (385 mi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average journey time | 08hrs 40mins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service frequency | 6 days a week[a] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Train number(s) | 20631 / 20632 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line(s) used | Shoranur–Mangalore section Shoranur–Cochin Harbour section Ernakulam–Kayamkulam coastal line Kollam–Thiruvananthapuram trunk line | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-board services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class(es) | AC Chair Car, AC Executive Chair Car | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seating arrangements |
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| Sleeping arrangements | No | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catering facilities | On-board catering | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Observation facilities | Large windows in all coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Entertainment facilities |
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| Baggage facilities | Overhead racks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other facilities | Kavach | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rolling stock | Mini Vande Bharat 2.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | Indian gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electrification | 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead line | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | 72 km/h (45 mph) (Avg.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average length | 192 metres (630 ft) (08 coaches) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track owner(s) | Indian Railways | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rake maintenance | Mangaluru Central, Palakkad railway division | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The initial service of this Vande Bharat Express train from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram Central was inaugurated on 24 September 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conference from New Delhi.[2] The extension of train from Kasaragod to Mangaluru was inaugurated on 12 March 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conference from Ahmedabad. [3][4][5]
Overview
editThis train is operated by Indian Railways, connecting Mangaluru Ctrl, Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Tirur, Shoranur Junction, Thrissur, Ernakulam Junction, Alappuzha, Kollam Junction and Thiruvananthapuram Central. It is the second Vande Bharat Express train allocated to Kerala. It is currently operated with train numbers 20631/20632. [6][7][8]
Rakes
editIt is the thirty-first 2nd Generation and nineteenth Mini Vande Bharat 2.0 Express train[broken anchor] which was designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur, Chennai under the Make in India Initiative.[9][10] It is India's first Mini VB 2.0 Express train[broken anchor], running the tracks with the Saffron-Grey livery with 25 more modifications in the rakes.[11][12] As per reports, a pairing train rake is allocated as there are a few problems in the maintenance of the train as per the current Time Table.[13]
Switch of Rakes
editAfter extension till Mangalore, the maintenance problem has been resolved and the Saffron Grey rakes are swapped and replaced with White Blue Vandebharat rake of the pairing train. In August 2024, the Saffron Grey rake was made to run as temporary special service along Ernakulam - SMVT Bengaluru route. As of September 2024, the first saffron colored Vande Bharat rake is moved to Howrah - Rourkela route and the Mangaluru Central–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express is running with one and only White Blue 8 car coach.
Service
editThe 20631/20632 Mangaluru Central - Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express operates six days a week except wednesday, covering a distance of 621 km (386 mi) in a travel time of 8 hrs 40 mins with an average speed of 73 km/h (45 mph). The Maximum Permissible Speed is 100 km/h (62 mph).
Gallery
edit-
3rd Rake of this Mini Vande Bharat Express train -
Dual Rakes of this Mini VB Express train -
This Mini Vande Bharat Express train at Kasaragod railway station and getting ready for departure towards Trivandrum Ctrl -
Crowd at Kollam Junction railway station on 24 September 2023 to welcome the second Vande Bharat Express allotted to Kerala
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Except Wednesdays
References
edit- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (12 March 2024). "PM launches Vande Bharat train service between Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Kerala's second Vande Bharat to operate between Kasaragod and TVM via Alappuzha from Sept 24". OnManorama. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ "PM Modi virtually flags off extended Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express". www.daijiworld.com. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ aishwarya.nair. "Kerala: PM Modi flags off extended Vande Bharat service from Mangaluru to Thiruvananthapuram". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Bharathi, Vartha. "PM Modi Inaugurates Mangaluru Central-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express Train". english.varthabharati.in. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express". News9live. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Extended Vande Bharat flagged off by PM Modi". English.Mathrubhumi. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "കേരളത്തിന്റെ രണ്ടാം വന്ദേഭാരത്: സമയക്രമമായി, ഞായറാഴ്ച സർവീസ് ആരംഭിച്ചേക്കും". Mathrubhumi. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ "Train 18, India's Fastest, Named "Vande Bharat Express": Piyush Goyal". NDTV.com. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Kerala's second Vande Bharat: ഇനി വൈകില്ല കേരളത്തിന്റെ രണ്ടാം വന്ദേഭാരത്; റൂട്ടും സമയക്രമവും തയ്യാര്". India Today Malayalam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ "Kerala's second Vande Bharat train to start from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram". Global Green News. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Indias 1st Saffron Coloured Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express Flagged Off". Zee News. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "കേരളത്തിന് മൂന്നാമത്തെ വന്ദേഭാരത് റേക്ക്; വെള്ളയും നീലയും നിറം".