BENGALURU: A new Vande Bharat Express service connecting Bengaluru and Ernakulam via Thrissur and Palakkad is set to roll out by mid-November, much to the delight of commuters and IT professionals travelling between Karnataka and Kerala. The announcement has generated widespread excitement, particularly among the large Malayali workforce based in Bengaluru.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar confirms launch

The news was officially confirmed by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BJP State President in Kerala, who took to X to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving the long-demanded service.
“Bengaluru employs a large number of Malayalis, especially in the IT sector. For a long time, there has been a strong demand for more train services from Kerala to Bengaluru. This new Vande Bharat service will be a great relief for Malayalis travelling to Bengaluru,” Chandrasekhar wrote.

He further revealed that the request for this route was submitted to the Railway Minister a month ago and praised the swift approval by the Central Government.

Railway Minister confirms the proposal

Confirming the development, Ashwini Vaishnaw shared on X, “Glad to share that @RajeevRC_X Ji’s proposal for Vande Bharat Express between Ernakulam & Bengaluru has been considered and is set to launch by mid-November.”
The new service aims to provide a faster, more comfortable travel option between the two states, reducing travel time significantly compared to existing trains on the route.

Relief for commuters and IT workforce

The Bengaluru–Ernakulam corridor has long been one of the busiest rail routes in South India, with thousands of commuters, professionals, and students travelling regularly between Kerala and Karnataka. The new Vande Bharat Express is expected to benefit IT professionals, especially those working in Bengaluru’s tech hubs, who often visit their hometowns in Kerala over weekends and holidays.

Social media applauds move

Following the announcement, social media platforms were abuzz with appreciation from travellers. A Reddit post about the new train’s launch drew enthusiastic reactions. One user commented, “Finally, yes,” while another wrote, “Thank the lord.”
Many users also requested that the train be extended to Thiruvananthapuram, connecting both IT hubs of Kerala and Karnataka.
“This will be a boon to the IT industry and IT families travelling between Bengaluru and Kerala,” wrote one commuter. Others pointed out that the train would also help passengers travelling to Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, and Salem via Palakkad and Thrissur.

Demand for better connectivity

For years, Malayali professionals in Bengaluru have been urging Indian Railways to improve connectivity with Kerala. Currently, most trains between the two states are overbooked during weekends and festive seasons, forcing many to rely on costly private buses or flights.
The introduction of the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat service is seen as a major step toward addressing this issue, offering faster transit times and improved passenger comfort.

Conclusion

The upcoming Bengaluru–Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express marks another milestone in South India’s rail connectivity, symbolising the government’s efforts to enhance regional transportation and meet commuter demand. As the train prepares for its mid-November debut, expectations are high that it will make travel between the two southern states smoother, faster, and more efficient.