As Onam 2026 is around the corner, Indian Railways is all set to launch new trains and add extra coaches to the already existing trains like Vande Bharat to ease passenger comfort. Want to know more? Scroll down!
Onam 2026: Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat To Get 16 Coaches
According to an NDTV report, passengers travelling between Bengaluru and Kerala are set to receive significant relief ahead of the Onam travel rush. The Railway Board has approved a 16-coach rake for the Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express. The enhanced service is scheduled to begin next week and will replace the existing eight-coach train, more than doubling seating capacity from 530 to 1,128 passengers.
Also Read: Did You Know Kerala Will Revive Waterways Once Travelled By Ibn Battuta & Swami Vivekananda?
The move arrives as ticket demand surges ahead of Onam. The chair car waitlists for August 21 and 22 have already exceeded 100, while return services available between August 29 and 31 are fully booked. Railway authorities expect the additional coaches to enhance ticket availability during the festive season.
The Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express (26651) departs Bengaluru at 5:10 am, except on Wednesdays, and arrives at Ernakulam at 1:50 pm. The return service (26652) leaves Ernakulam at 2:20 pm and arrives in Bengaluru at 11 pm.
Indian Railway To Add More Trains For Onam 2026
Apart from boosting the Vande Bharat service, Indian Railways is launching additional special trains to manage the festive travel rush. The South Western Railway (SWR) will be running special trains between Mysuru and Kannur via Bengaluru Cantonment on August 25-26 and August 29-30. Another special train service between Yeshwantpur and Kota will also run on July 23.
Southern Railway has also announced a weekly AC Economy special train between Chennai and Kollam during August and September to boost connectivity for passengers travelling to Kerala for Onam. Additionally, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that more than 100 special train services will be notified for the festival season to meet the expected spike in passenger demand.
Also Read: From Tumakuru To Belagavi: 5 Places Worth Exploring On Mumbai-Bangalore Vande Bharat Sleeper Route
According to Drik Panchang, the 10-day Onam festival will be observed from August 16 to August 26, with Thiruvonam falling on August 26. The additional services are anticipated to provide much-needed relief to thousands of tourists travelling home for Kerala’s biggest festival.
Are you excited for Onam 2026?
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels/Yan Krukau
FAQs
Which is the main day of Onam in 2026?
In 2026, the main day of Onam (Thiruvonam) falls on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
In which state Onam festival is celebrated in 2026?
Onam is celebrated in the state of Kerala.
Which day is Onam in 2026?
In 2026, the 10-day Onam festival runs from August 17 to August 26.
