Kochi: The long wait for a Vande Bharat Sleeper train service between Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru is nearing its end. Kodikunnil Suresh MP, a Congress leader, announced that written assurance has been received for the Thiruvananthapuram North – Bengaluru SMVT route. This new service is expected to depart from Thiruvananthapuram at 7:30 PM and arrive in Bengaluru the following morning.
Kodikunnil Suresh confirmed that the Southern Railway General Manager has provided written confirmation of a favorable stance regarding the new Vande Bharat Sleeper train service. Malayalis have long awaited a Vande Bharat service from Thiruvananthapuram via Ernakulam and Palakkad. While earlier efforts focused on bringing a regular Vande Bharat train, the availability of sleeper versions led to a shift in demand for this particular service in Kerala.
MP Kodikunnil Suresh stated that the Vande Bharat Sleeper service will likely operate from Thiruvananthapuram North to Bengaluru Visvesvaraya Terminal. The proposed timetable, which has been submitted to the Railway Board for final approval, schedules the semi-high-speed train to depart from Thiruvananthapuram North at 7:30 PM, reaching Bengaluru via Kottayam. A previous Vande Bharat special train service from Ernakulam to Bengaluru had received an excellent response. However, the Bengaluru-Ernakulam return service saw relatively fewer passengers due to timing discrepancies, and the railway had not been prepared to extend or regularize that service.
The realization of a night-time Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru will greatly benefit thousands of Malayalis traveling to Bengaluru for education and employment. Kodikunnil Suresh MP also added that this demand would be raised at the Central Railway Consultative Committee meeting, convened by the Railway Minister at the end of this month, to ensure the train becomes a reality as soon as possible.
Earlier, during a meeting with the Railway Minister and a session of MPs convened by the Southern Railway General Manager, assurances were given that the Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper would be considered. The MP’s recent statement confirms that written assurance has now been received, clearly indicating that the Vande Bharat Sleeper is being considered via the Kottayam route.