Commuters are growing increasingly frustrated over the delayed introduction of the third Vande Bharat Express on the Bengaluru-Ernakulamroute. An eight-coach rake designated for this high-demand corridor has been sitting idle in Kollam since its arrival in April, making only occasional runs to Kochuveli and back.
The shortage of trains on this route has compelled passengers to resort to interstate luxury buses, aggravating traffic congestion on highways and contributing to recent accidents. A tragic incident in Kochi resulted in the death of a young motorcyclist and injuries to a dozen passengers after an illegally-modified bus skidded off the NH Bypass. Similarly, a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation bus from Kozhikode to Bengaluru crashed on the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway, injuring 15 passengers.
Venkitesh TG, secretary of the Kerala-Bengaluru Train Users’ Forum, expressed disappointment at the delay in enhancing train services between these IT hubs, tourism destinations, and healthcare centers. He highlighted the urgent need for the idling Vande Bharat rake to be deployed on the Ernakulam-Bengaluru corridor, where demand for travel is high, with trains booked up to three months in advance.
Highlighting the worsening road conditions due to ongoing highway construction in Kerala, Venkitesh underscored the crucial role of efficient rail connectivity in alleviating commuter woes.
Railway sources cited in the report acknowledged that while the Vande Bharat Express rake remains on standby in Kollam, there is no confirmed timeline from the Railway Board regarding its deployment on the Bengaluru route. The rake is currently being operated on the Kollam-Kochuveli stretch intermittently to maintain its condition, awaiting an official announcement for its launch.
