Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off four new Vande Bharat services, including Southern Railway’s first inter-state semi-high-speed premium train connecting Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The new Ernakulam–KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express is positioned as a transformative link for business, education, tourism, healthcare and pilgrimage across the three states, according to railway officials.

The eight-coach service, operating in both chair car and executive class configurations, begins its journey in Ernakulam and moves through several key cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu before entering Karnataka. Its designated stops include Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode and Salem, after which it proceeds to Krishnarajapuram and finally KSR Bengaluru. The introduction of this route fills a longstanding demand for a faster and more comfortable inter-state rail connection. Chair car fares are priced at ₹1,095, while executive class fares stand at ₹2,289.

With this launch, Kerala now hosts its third Vande Bharat service. The first two — Kasaragod–Thiruvananthapuram via Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru Central via Alappuzha — provide north–south connectivity within the state. The new Ernakulam–Bengaluru service offers a strategic extension beyond state borders, connecting Kerala’s commercial capital with the technology hub of Karnataka.

Southern Railway stated that the new service will offer seamless point-to-point connectivity between Ernakulam and Bengaluru, replacing slower intercity services that currently take more than 11 hours to cover the 583-kilometre stretch. The Vande Bharat will shorten this travel time significantly, completing the journey in 8 hours and 40 minutes. The train will begin regular operations from November 9, 2025. Its schedule includes a 5:10 am departure from Bengaluru, reaching Ernakulam at 1:50 pm, while the return service will leave Ernakulam at 2:20 pm and arrive in Bengaluru at 11 pm. The train will run six days a week, remaining non-operational on Wednesdays.

Railway authorities highlighted that this will be the first Vande Bharat service to cater to Palakkad, often referred to as the “Gateway of Kerala,” enhancing mobility for passengers in a region heavily dependent on inter-state travel. Officials added that the train’s speed and comfort will support increased regional movement for commercial activity, academic travel, medical visits, religious tourism, and leisure trips.

The new service is part of the expanding Vande Bharat network, which now includes more than 164 trains across India. The premium model features a modern onboard experience, equipped with bio-vacuum toilets, automatic doors, ergonomic seating, GPS-based infotainment displays, reading lights and Wi-Fi connectivity. These features, combined with reduced travel time, are expected to significantly elevate passenger experience on one of the busiest corridors in the southern region.

With strengthening inter-state connectivity and rising demand for faster travel options, the Ernakulam–KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat marks a major milestone for Southern Railway and is expected to become one of its highest-demand services in the months ahead.