Kerala gets its first Vande Bharat Express, Modi flags off three trains

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains from Kerala, marking the first time such trains have been introduced in the state. On the occasion, the Prime Minister also flagged off the Thrissur-Guruvayur passenger train, which will provide significant convenience to commuters traveling for daily activities.

The Executive Director (Information and Public Relations) of the Railway Board stated that a new era of rail travel has begun in South India today. The trains launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will provide passengers with fast, secure, comfortable, and affordable travel facilities. Amrit Bharat is a non-air-conditioned version of the Vande Bharat Express, equipped with various modern amenities to make the journey pleasant.

He said that the trains starting today will connect Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, and their operation will particularly benefit the low-income segment. He further stated that the nature of rail travel is changing, and trains like Vande Bharat Express, Vande Bharat Shatabdi, and Amrit Bharat have been added to the rail fleet, providing better and more comfortable journeys for passengers.

Notably, the new trains starting today will directly connect several major cities in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. According to railway authorities, these trains will make travel in South India faster, safer, and more affordable.

The Nagercoil-Mangalore Junction Amrit Bharat Express will directly connect Kerala to Karnataka, with halts at major stations like Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Kannur. This train will depart from Nagercoil on Monday and from Mangalore on Wednesday.

The Charlapalli (Hyderabad)-Thiruvananthapuram North Amrit Bharat Express will provide long-distance, low-cost travel facilities, connecting Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. This train will depart from Charlapalli on Monday and from Thiruvananthapuram North on Wednesday.

The Tambaram-Thiruvananthapuram Central Amrit Bharat Express will reduce the distance between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, providing passengers with fast and comfortable travel. This train will depart from Tambaram on Wednesday and from Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.

The Amrit Bharat Express rake is equipped with modern amenities, including comfortable seating, clean coaches, a modern lighting system, CCTV, mobile hangers, and modern toilets. According to the railways, these services will also give a new boost to tourism, trade, and employment.

Railway authorities stated that the introduction of these trains is a significant step towards strongly connecting South India to the mainstream of development. For ordinary passengers, these are not just new trains but a journey towards a better and more reliable future.

It is worth noting that the first Amrit Bharat Express train in the country was launched on December 30, 2023, and with the addition of these new trains, 27 Amrit Bharat Express trains are now operating on various routes, providing 54 services.