Travellers between Bengaluru and Mangaluru may soon enjoy a faster and more comfortable rail journey, with South Western Railway (SWR) preparing to conduct trial runs of the Vande Bharat Express on the challenging ghat section this month.

According to railway sources, an eight-coach Vande Bharat trainset fitted with an Auto Emergency Brake (AEB) system will be used for the trials between Yeshwantpur and Mangaluru Central stations. Officials from the Bengaluru and Mysuru railway divisions have already been informed about the proposed tests.

Key trial on challenging ghat route

The Bengaluru-Mangaluru railway line passes through one of Karnataka’s most difficult railway terrains. The 55-km ghat stretch between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road features 57 tunnels, 226 bridges and 108 sharp curves, making it one of the most complex railway sections in the country.

The route’s steep gradients require trains to be equipped with an Auto Emergency Brake system, which automatically applies brakes if speed limits are exceeded.

Safety clearance remains crucial

While the electrification of the ghat section was completed earlier, Vande Bharat operations could not begin because the trainsets lacked the mandatory AEB system required for the route.

To address this issue, the Railways retrofitted the technology into an existing Vande Bharat rake. During the trial, officials will assess running time, stoppages, crew interchange and operational feasibility before preparing a final report.

A one-way trial journey is expected to take around 8.5 hours, with halts at key stations including Hassan, Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road.

Boost for coastal Karnataka

Following successful trials and safety certification, commercial operations could begin, significantly improving connectivity between Bengaluru and coastal Karnataka.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier indicated plans to extend Vande Bharat connectivity across the coastal belt, potentially linking Madgaon in Goa with Mangaluru and Bengaluru.

The proposed service is expected to benefit tourists, business travellers and residents seeking faster travel between Karnataka’s coast and capital.