Growing demand for Vande Bharat sleeper service on Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram route

Kannur: There is a growing demand for the introduction of the second Vande Bharat sleeper train on the Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram route. This request comes as the Southern Railway has indicated plans for the Vande Bharat service.

Currently, the Vande Bharat trains operate during the day and are designed primarily for seated passengers. Many believe that adding a sleeper service would allow travellers to rest comfortably overnight, making long journeys more efficient and avoiding time waste.

Among the 51 Vande Bharat trains running across the country, the Kerala service has the highest passenger numbers, indicating strong demand for this mode of transport. The introduction of a sleeper option is expected to be even more popular among travellers.

At present, only three night trains serve the Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram route: the Maveli, Malabar, and Thiruvananthapuram Express (16348). All three trains often experience high demand, with reservations filling up weeks in advance, especially during festive seasons. As the Malabar Express leaves Mangaluru at 6:15 pm, and there are no other night trains to Thiruvananthapuram after that.

Transportation experts believe that the addition of a Vande Bharat sleeper train could ease congestion on the route and meet the needs of travellers looking for comfortable overnight options. The Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru Antyodaya train, which operates only two days a week and has limited general seating, is not sufficient to handle the demand.

823 berths in 16 coaches

Designed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), the Vande Bharat sleeper features 823 berths across 16 AC coaches. The railways have stated that the fare will be affordable for the middle class.