Indian Railways has officially approved the launch of Kerala's third Vande Bharat Express, a state-of-the-art semi-high-speed train connecting Ernakulam Junction to KSR Bengaluru. Operated and maintained by the Southern Railway zone, this addition joins two existing routes—Train 20633/20634 (Kasargod-Trivandrum) and Train 20631/20632 (Mangalore-Trivandrum)—elevating the state's rail infrastructure. Capable of reaching speeds up to 160 kmph, the new service vows a faster, more luxurious journey for commuters and travelers alike.

Bearing train numbers 26651/26652, the Ernakulam-KSR Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat will traverse via the Coimbatore-Palakkad corridor, covering the entire distance in approximately 7 hours and 40 minutes—a significant time-saver for business and leisure passengers. The route features seven strategic halts: Krishnarajapuram, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, and Thrissur, ensuring seamless access to key industrial and cultural hubs along the way.

The train will run six days a week, excluding Wednesdays, with an efficient eight-coach configuration: seven air-conditioned chair cars for standard comfort and one executive air-conditioned chair car for premium travelers. Departure from KSR Bengaluru (Train 26651) is scheduled at 05:10 hrs, arriving in Ernakulam by 13:50 hrs. The return leg (Train 26652) departs Ernakulam at 14:20 hrs and pulls into KSR Bengaluru at 23:00 hrs, offering convenient morning-to-afternoon and afternoon-to-night options.

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This rollout underscores Indian Railways' push toward modern, passenger-centric travel, blending speed with onboard amenities like ergonomic seating, Wi-Fi, and automated doors. As Kerala continues to expand its Vande Bharat fleet, the Ernakulam-Bengaluru express is poised to boost economic ties, tourism, and daily commuting between the two southern powerhouses—bookings are expected to open soon via IRCTC.

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