Click it and Unblock the Notifications
The much-awaited Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express is set to undergo another important trial run on September 5. South Western Railway will operate an empty 16-coach Vande Bharat train between Yesvantpur Junction in Bengaluru and Mangaluru Central to check the travel time and operational feasibility of the proposed service.
Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Trial on September 5
According to the tentative schedule, the train will leave Yesvantpur Junction at 6:05 am and reach Mangaluru Central at 2:25 pm. On the return journey, it will depart from Mangaluru Central at 3 pm and reach Yesvantpur at around 11 pm. These timings are only for the trial and should not be considered the final schedule for regular passengers.
During the onward journey, the train is scheduled to reach Hassan at 9 am, Sakleshpur at 9:55 am and Subrahmanya Road at 12:30 pm before arriving at Mangaluru Central. On the return journey, it is expected to reach Subrahmanya Road at 4:30 pm, Sakleshpur at 6:30 pm and Hassan at 7:20 pm before reaching Yesvantpur at 11 pm.
The biggest challenge for the proposed service is the approximately 55-km Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road section through the Western Ghats. The difficult stretch has numerous tunnels, bridges, sharp curves and steep gradients. Earlier reports have noted that the section has 57 tunnels, 226 bridges and 108 sharp curves.
Safety requirements have also played an important role in introducing the service. An Automatic Emergency Braking system is being considered essential for safe Vande Bharat operations through the challenging ghat section. The system can help control the train's speed and apply emergency braking when required.
Earlier trials were also conducted on the ghat section to test the train's performance and braking systems. The September 5 trial will provide railway officials with another opportunity to assess the route, journey time and operational requirements.
The commercial launch date, final timetable, fares and stoppages have not yet been confirmed. The train will need to complete the required safety checks and receive the necessary approvals before regular passenger services can begin.
The proposed Vande Bharat service is expected to provide faster and more convenient rail connectivity between Bengaluru and coastal Karnataka, benefiting tourists, students, business travellers and other passengers.