The Ist Vande Bharat train comes to Kerala and politics begin!

Widely perceived as an alternative to the state's proposed Silver Line semi-high speed rai;, the Vande Bharat Express is expected to cover a distance of 488 km - from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur, in 61/2 to 7 hours. At present, the Rajadhani Nizamuddin Express covers the same distance in eight hours, with eight stops.

The exact time that the train is likely to take will be decided once the stops are finalised. As of now, the train is likely to halt at Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode and Kannur. The fares would be around Rs.1,500/- for the a/c chair car and around Rs.2,500/- for the executive class.

Vital stats

* Will have 16 coaches.

* Passenger capacity  1,028

* No pairing train.

* Same train gets daily trip maintenance and periodic maintenance at Kochuveli.

Interesting points

* The travel time cannot be reduced without limiting the stops.

* Vande Bharat trains can operate in Kerala at a top speed of 110 kmph from 2025 once the following are accomplished :-

    - comprehensive upgrade of all infrastructure, including track renewal.

    - strengthening of bridges

    - easing of curves where feasible and 

    - improving signalling system.

Once the works are completed in phases, the train can be operated between 130-150 kmph but it might not be able to touch the top speed of 160 mph. LIDAR - Light Detection and Ranging - survey will have to be carried out. In other words, remote sensing of the earth's surface would be required. 

All political parties, except for the BJP, think that the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express in the state at this juncture, is because of the general elections of 2024! 

My take

The train must be able to run its top speed and towards this end, corrective measures must be put in at the earliest.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. A quiet Sunday.

Helped Lekha in watering the plants.