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Field trials of a specially modified Vande Bharat Express train began on the Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road ghat section on August 12, 2026, by the Mysuru division of South Western Railway. The train has been fitted with an Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system, which is considered necessary for operating safely on the steep ghat section.
Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Trials
The 20-coach Vande Bharat rake started its journey from Sakleshpur at 6:42 a.m. and travelled towards Subrahmanya Road, located at the lower end of the ghat section. It reached Subrahmanya Road station at 10:55 a.m. Officials from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) were present during the trial to examine the train's performance and various technical parameters. The testing is scheduled to continue until August 20.
The custom-built rake arrived in Mysuru from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai during the previous week. After undergoing static tests in Mysuru on August 11, it was taken to Sakleshpur for the field trials.
Why are the Vande Bharat Trials Important?
The trials are important because they could clear the way for launching a Vande Bharat service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru. The service had earlier been planned, but its introduction was delayed because an AEB-equipped Vande Bharat rake was not available.
The Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road section is particularly challenging due to its steep gradient of 1 in 50. Due to the difficult terrain, trains are allowed to operate at a maximum speed of 30 kmph on this stretch. Regular trains use additional engines, known as banker locomotives, which are equipped with AEB systems to provide extra safety.
Using these engines with a Vande Bharat train would require additional procedures and could cause delays. Therefore, the Railways developed a rake with an in-built AEB system specifically for such operations.
There is also uncertainty over the final route of the proposed Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat service. Reports have suggested that the train could run from Yesvantpur to Madgaon and possibly skip Mangaluru Central. However, the Railways has not officially confirmed the route, stops, timings or frequency.