Get ready to travel on one of India’s most scenic rail routes as the Vande Bharat Express will soon start trials on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route. The train will run on the challenging 55-km Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road ghat section in Karnataka’s Western Ghats, and here’s everything you need to know about this.
Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Trials To Begin
The 55-km Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road ghat section is widely considered one of India’s most breathtaking and scenic train journeys. And the good news is that people will soon get to travel on the Vande Bharat Express connecting Bengaluru and Mangaluru on this route. According to News18, the South Western Railway (SWR) has now announced trial runs on this challenging route from August 11.
The trial is being considered a major milestone for the semi-high-speed train. The reason? Railway engineers will assess whether the Vande Bharat train can safely operate through one of Indian Railways’ most technically demanding routes.
If everything goes as planned, the Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat train will pass through the lush Western Ghats, dense forests, waterfalls, and mist-covered valleys. Once the train becomes operational, travellers will be able to enjoy the scenic route and stunning mountain landscapes from their windows.
Also Read: “Beautiful Experience,” Sonam Wangchuk Praises Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat
Why Is This Route Considered Breathtaking Yet Challenging?
As per a report by News18, the Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat has been in talks for several months. It faced several technical challenges because the train requires additional safety measures to operate on a steep mountainous route. According to The Times of India, the South Western Railway will deploy a modified eight-coach Vande Bharat train for trials.
It will be equipped with an Auto Emergency Brake (AEB) system to make operations safer. This system automatically applies brakes and stops the train if it exceeds the permitted speed while travelling downhill. This feature is important for train journeys in the Western Ghats.
Now, let’s talk about why the Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road section is considered scenic yet one of India’s most challenging railway routes. The route has around 57 tunnels, more than 250 bridges, 108 sharp curves, and a steep 1-in-50 gradient. Moreover, the section experiences heavy monsoon rainfall and is prone to landslides.
Also Read: Once Visited By Virat Kohli & KL Rahul, The Only Place In Bengaluru Has A New Address
Now, all travellers are waiting for commercial operations to begin on this route.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/ Vis M and @BharatTechIND/X
FAQs
Is Bengaluru-Mangaluru getting a Vande Bharat train?
Yes, trials for the Vande Bharat Express on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route are set to begin on August 11.
Why is the Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road ghat section considered a beautiful route?
Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road is famous for waterfalls, tunnels, bridges, forests, and stunning Western Ghat views.
Are Vande Bharat train journeys expensive?
Vande Bharat tickets are usually costlier than regular trains because of their faster speed and modern facilities.
