THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move that brings immense relief to tens of thousands of commuters, Kerala has been sanctioned its third Vande Bharat Express, set to operate on the highly sought-after Ernakulam-Bengaluru route. The new semi-high-speed train service is expected to commence by mid-November 2025, BJP State President and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced on Wednesday.
The announcement fulfills a decade-long demand from the large Malayali population in Bengaluru. More importantly, it is poised to end the rampant fare exploitation by private bus operators who charge exorbitant rates during festive seasons, offering a fast, reliable, and affordable travel alternative.
For the lakhs of Malayalis working in Bengaluru’s IT corridors and other sectors, traveling home during festivals like Onam, Christmas, and Vishu has long been a nightmare. They have often been at the mercy of private bus operators who hike ticket prices exponentially during these peak periods.
Fares on the route, which typically range from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500, often skyrocket to anywhere between ₹3,000 and ₹5,000 for a single journey. With limited seats on existing trains and high demand, passengers have had little choice but to pay these inflated prices. The introduction of the Vande Bharat Express is expected to break this monopoly and curb the practice of price gouging.
“The new Vande Bharat service will be a huge relief for Malayalis in Bengaluru,” Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated. “Currently, there is a huge rush on this route during festive seasons and special occasions. Those who seek other modes of transport have to pay excessive fares.”
Rajeev Chandrasekhar shared the news through a post on his official Facebook page, crediting the swift approval to the central government’s proactive approach. He extended his gratitude to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their prompt action on the matter, which he had raised with the minister a month ago.
“Thank you, Modi Govt! Thanks to the Central Government for sanctioning the Vande Bharat train from Ernakulam to Bengaluru via Thrissur and Palakkad,” Chandrasekhar wrote. He added that the minister has assured him the service will begin by the middle of November.
The decision to launch a third service comes on the heels of the immense success and high occupancy rates of the first two Vande Bharat trains operating within Kerala. While the announcement brings cheer, official details regarding the train’s final schedule, stops, and fare structure are expected to be released by the Indian Railways Board shortly. The new service is set to significantly reduce travel time between Kerala’s commercial hub and India’s Silicon Valley, marking a new milestone in connectivity between the two states.
