Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat: A Major Trial Run has been Conducted on the Ghat Section

A major step has been taken towards starting Vande Bharat train services between Bengaluru and Mangaluru, a long-awaited demand of people in Coastal Karnataka. The next important milestone is a trial run of the Vande Bharat Express on the difficult 55-km ghat section between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road. The trial

is expected to take place in the last week of June and will be conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), which works under the Ministry of Railways.

Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat to Become a Reality After Overcoming the Challenges

The ghat section is one of the most challenging railway stretches in the country because of its steep gradients and sharp curves. For safety reasons, the Commissioner of Railway Safety has limited train speeds on this section to a maximum of 30 kmph. To operate on this route, the Vande Bharat train must be fitted with a special Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system.

The AEB system is designed to automatically slow down the train if it exceeds the permitted speed. This safety technology is currently being installed on Vande Bharat coaches at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. The specially modified train set is expected to arrive in Karnataka soon for testing.

According to Mudit Mittal, Divisional Railway Manager of the Mysuru Division of South Western Railway, several trial runs with ICF and LHB coaches have already been completed on the ghat section. These tests were conducted over five days in June, and all required technical standards were met. He said that the Vande Bharat trial is now the final major step before approval can be considered.

If the upcoming trial is successful and receives clearance from RDSO, the biggest technical challenge in introducing Vande Bharat services between Bengaluru and Mangaluru will be overcome. This will pave the way for a faster, more comfortable, and modern rail connection between the state capital and the coastal region.

The railway route was fully electrified in December 2025 by RITES, including the difficult ghat section. With electrification completed and safety trials nearing completion, the launch of the Vande Bharat service to Coastal Karnataka appears closer than ever, bringing hope to passengers waiting for improved rail connectivity between Bengaluru and Mangaluru.