Kerala’s Vande Bharat Express Trains to Expand to 20 Coaches Each

Quick Summary:

• The Mangaluru Central – Thiruvananthapuram Central – Mangaluru Central Vande Bharat Express services (train numbers: 20631/20632) will include four more coaches starting September 9, 2025.
• Railway board has approved the permanent addition of coaches too meet increasing passenger demand.
• After expansion, the train will have a total of 20 coaches-18 AC Chair Cars and two AC Executive Chair Cars.
• From October 1, 2025, both Kerala-based Vande Bharat Express trains (20633/20634 Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Central and 20631/20632 Mangaluru Central – Thiruvananthapuram Central) will operate with similar configurations featuring 20 coach rakes.

Indian Opinion analysis:
The planned augmentation in coach capacity highlights increasing demand for premium rail services like Vande Bharat in key regions of Kerala and Karnataka. Expanding the capacity indicates a growing emphasis on accommodating commuter needs while boosting connectivity between important cities such as Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram. This may encourage higher passenger traffic for faster intercity travel options, which align with India’s goal to upgrade infrastructure for economic mobility. Tracking implementation effectiveness post-expansion could help assess regional travel dynamics and service popularity among commuters.

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