Bengaluru/Ernakulam: After a long wait, the Railway Ministry is all set to introduce a new Vande Bharat Express between Ernakulam and Bengaluru via Palakkad by mid-November 2025, bringing much-needed relief to thousands of Malayalis working and living in Bengaluru and Kerala.

The new semi-high-speed Vande Bharat will cover the journey in about 9 hours, trimming nearly one hour from the current fastest travel time of 9 hours 55 minutes on the route. For IT professionals, students, and families who frequently travel between Kerala and Bengaluru, this reduction is major, especially during busy weekends and festive seasons.

Key stops connecting major hubs

The train will halt at important cities along the way, including:

  • Thrissur
  • Palakkad
  • Coimbatore
  • Tiruppur
  • Erode
  • Salem
  • Krishnarajapuram (Bengaluru)

These stops will provide enhanced accessibility and convenience for travellers across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, allowing more people to benefit from faster, reliable rail connectivity.

A long-standing demand of Kerala-Bengaluru commuters

The new Vande Bharat service replaces the temporary tri-weekly train withdrawn in mid-2024 and addresses growing concerns after the downgrade of the KSR Bengaluru–Ernakulam Superfast Express, which slowed travel and added to passenger woes.

BJP Kerala State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar highlighted the importance of this service for the large Malayali community in Bengaluru, particularly in the IT sector. He said, “Currently, this route experiences heavy traffic during the festive season and on special occasions, forcing those who seek alternative modes of transport to pay exorbitant fares.”