PM Modi flags off Kerala's first Vande Bharat Express train

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Kerala’s first Vande Bharat Express at Thiruvananthapuram Central Station on Tuesday.

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, CM Pinarayi Vijayan and MP Shashi Tharoor were present at the event.

This is the 15th Vande Bharat service in the Indian Railway network.

The Vande Bharat Express will run between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargod, passing through 11 districts, and covering a distance of around 588 kilometers in around eight hours. It will have stoppages at Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town, Thrissur, Shoranur, Kozhikode, and Kannur. The train will operate on all days except Thursdays, said the Railways.

The regular services will begin on Wednesday from Kasaragod station at 2.30 pm. The bookings have already begun. The Vande Bharat Express will be faster by around one hour as compared to Rajdhani running on the same route.

Also read: Vande Bharat makes surprise entry in Kerala, BJP tries to cash in

The train received massive response from passengers when booking opened from Sunday at 8 am and tickets are already sold out, say railway officials. Executive chair car tickets are not available for the next five days.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation for various rail projects, including the redevelopment of Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Varkala Sivagiri railway stations.

Vande Bharat Express is an indigenously manufactured, semi-high speed and self-propelled train set. The train is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities, providing passengers with a faster, more comfortable and more convenient travel experience.

The fare of Vande Bharat Express (Train No- 20633) between Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram Central will be Rs 1,520 which includes Rs 308 as catering charges, and Rs 2,815 for the Executive Class which includes Rs 369 as catering charges. However, food choice is optional in this train and if passenger opted for ‘No Food Option’, then catering charge will not be added in fare.

The fare on Train No- 20634 Vande Bharat Express from Thiruvananthapuram Central to Kasaragod will be Rs 1,590 in Chair Car and includes Rs 379 as catering charges, and Rs 2,880 in Executive Cass which will also include Rs 434 as catering charge.

Under the 'Make in India' initiative, a target has been set to manufacture 400 Vande Bharat trains in the coming years.