K'taka’s 3rd Vande Bharat train to begin operations on Monday

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The third Vande Bharat Express in Karnataka set to ply between Bengaluru and Hyderabad would be inaugurated on Sunday and the first trip would take place on Monday.

It is also rumoured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would himself inaugurate the train on Sunday.

While many in the know suggested that Sunday and Monday would indeed be the days, South Western Railway (SWR) Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Aneesh Hegde was only able to confirm that a trial run of the train was conducted on Thursday.

“In response to growing demand, Karnataka is all set to get its third Vande Bharat Express very shortly. This train will ply between Bengaluru and Hyderabad, connecting the two tech-cities of south India known for software, start-ups and technology. The trial run of this train was undertaken today (Thursday) to assess various technical and operational parameters,” Hegde said.

In Karnataka at present, two Vande Bharat Express trains are plying between Dharwad and Bengaluru and the other one travels between Mysuru and Bengaluru and then Chennai.

Hegde added that since the launch of the first Vande Bharat in February 2019, Railways had incorporated a number of suggestions, feedback from the passengers to improve the amenities and facilities provided on board.

“For example, the angle of seat recline increased from 17.3 degrees to 19.4 degrees, accessibility of mobile charging sockets was improved, wheelchair securing points are provided in driving and trailer coaches,” he said.