Bengaluru–Ernakulam Vande Bharat to skip KSR Bengaluru station from August 1 to 4

Passengers travelling on the KSR Bengaluru–Ernakulam Junction Vande Bharat Express between August 1 and August 4, 2026, will have to board the train from Bengaluru Cantonment instead of KSR Bengaluru, as South Western Railway has announced a temporary change in operations due to ongoing yard remodelling works at KSR Bengaluru station.

According to the railway notification, Train No. 26651 KSR Bengaluru–Ernakulam Junction Vande Bharat Express will be partially cancelled between KSR Bengaluru and Bengaluru Cantonment for journeys commencing from August 1 to August 4, 2026.

During this period, the train will originate from Bengaluru Cantonment at 5.10 am, instead of its usual departure from KSR Bengaluru.

The temporary change has been made in continuation of yard remodelling works being carried out at KSR Bengaluru station.

The Bengaluru–Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express operates six days a week, except Wednesdays, covering a distance of 638 km in around 8 hours and 40 minutes. The train offers AC Chair Car (CC) and Executive Chair Car (EC) seating.

The announcement comes shortly after Southern Railway increased the train's capacity ahead of the Onam travel season by replacing the original eight-coach rake with a 16-coach rake. The upgrade added 598 seats per trip, increasing the total seating capacity from 530 to 1,128 to accommodate rising passenger demand on the Bengaluru–Kerala route.

The capacity enhancement was introduced after the service witnessed heavy demand during festival periods, with bookings for the Onam season filling up rapidly and occupancy regularly exceeding normal levels.