Kerala's 2nd Vande Bharat Express to debut on Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram route; here's everything you need to know about it

Kerala is set to welcome its second Vande Bharat Express, which is poised to kick off its services from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram this Sunday. The unique feature of this Vande Bharat Express, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lies in its distinctive new orange and grey livery. Moreover, it will mark the first time a Vande Bharat Express will operate on a route where another Vande Bharat Express already serves passengers. This new service is scheduled to run six days a week, with Tuesdays being the exception.

The Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express will cover the journey in approximately 8 hours and 5 minutes.

Here are the key timings and stoppages for the Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express:

• Train Number: 20631
• Departure from Kasaragod: 7:00 am
• Arrival at Kannur: 7:55 am (2-minute stop)
• Stops at Kozhikode, Tirur, Shoranur Jn, Thrisur, Ernakulam Jn, Alleppey, and Kollam Jn.
• Final destination: Thiruvananthapuram at 3:05 pm
• Stops at all stations for two minutes, except Ernakulam Jn with a three-minute stop.

For travelers in Chair car, the fare from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram is ₹1555, including an optional catering charge of ₹364. Meanwhile, the Executive Chair Car option is priced at ₹2835, which incorporates an optional catering charge of ₹419.

In the return journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, the Vande Bharat Express is scheduled as follows:

• Departure from Thiruvananthapuram: 4:05 pm
• Stops at Kollam Jn, Alleppey, Ernakulam Jn, Thrisur, Shoranur Jn, Tirur, Kozhikkode, and Kannur.
• Final destination: Kasaragod at 11:58 pm
• Stops at all stations for two minutes, except Ernakulam Jn with a three-minute stop.

For passengers opting for the Chair car, the fare from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod is ₹1515, inclusive of an optional catering charge of ₹323. Those choosing the Executive Chair Car will be charged Rs2800, which includes an optional catering charge of ₹384 during the ticket booking process.

The Vande Bharat Express will commence its journey from Kasaragod at 7 am, heading to Thiruvananthapuram via Alappuzha and is scheduled to return from Thiruvananthapuram at 4:05 pm, reaching Kasaragod at 11:55 pm. The route includes a total of nine designated stops to serve passengers.