Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Modi flagged off the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat, cutting travel time to 8 hours 40 minutes
- Service connects Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka with major stops including Coimbatore and Salem
- Regular operations begin November 9, 2025, with Chair Car tickets starting at Rs 1,655
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the much-anticipated Ernakulam-KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, marking a significant upgrade in inter-state rail connectivity across South India. This semi-high-speed train service links three southern states—Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka—addressing the substantial passenger traffic between these tech and business hubs.
Enhanced Regional Connectivity
The new Vande Bharat becomes Kerala’s third such service, connecting major economic centers across the peninsula. The route serves key stations including Thrissur and Palakkad in Kerala; Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, and Salem in Tamil Nadu; and Krishnarajapuram in Karnataka.
Southern Railway emphasized that “KSR Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express will provide seamless connectivity between Ernakulam and Bengaluru,” particularly benefiting professionals who commute between the cities’ tech parks like Infopark and ITBP.
Reduced Travel Time
The 583-kilometer journey between Ernakulam and Bengaluru, which typically takes 10-12 hours on conventional express trains, will now be completed in just 8 hours and 40 minutes—a significant time saving for daily commuters and business travelers.
“It is a revolution on rails. ROR. It should roar,” said Union Minister Suresh Gopi during the flagging-off ceremony in Kochi.
Ticket Pricing and Schedule
IRCTC has released the fare structure for the new service, with catering charges currently mandatory:
- Bengaluru-Ernakulam: Chair Car ₹1,655, Executive Class ₹3,015
- Bengaluru-Coimbatore: Chair Car ₹1,155, Executive Class ₹3,015
- Ernakulam-Coimbatore: Chair Car ₹705, Executive Class ₹1,340
- Ernakulam-Salem: Chair Car ₹965, Executive Class ₹1,855
Regular services commence on November 9, 2025, with departures from Bengaluru at 5:10 AM (arriving Ernakulam 1:50 PM) and from Ernakulam at 2:20 PM (arriving Bengaluru 11:00 PM). The train will not operate on Wednesdays.
Premium Features
Passengers can expect modern amenities including GPS-based infotainment systems, bio-vacuum toilets, ergonomic seating, automatic doors, reading lights, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat represents a significant step in modernizing inter-state rail travel in South India, offering faster, more comfortable connectivity between three economically vital states.
