Kerala's second Vande Bharat begins service tomorrow, almost fully reserved until October 2

Thrissur: Kerala's second Vande Bharat Express that begins its regular service tomorrow is fully reserved for almost all days until October 2.

According to the IRCTC website, the eight-coach Vande Bharat (train no: 20631) is fully reserved until September 28 and on September 30 and October 1.

At the time of writing, seats were available on September 29 (Friday). Also, a handful of seats were left for September 28.

Kerala's latest Vande Bharat Express was virutally flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 24.

Meanwhile, there are adequate seats available in the first Vande Bharat Express (train nos. 20633 and 20634) along the Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram stretch. Kerala's first Vande Bharat became operational on April 25.

Crossing of Vande Bharat trains
Railways authorities said that the two Vande Bharat Express trains will have a crossing at Shoranur during the morning services and between Chalakkudy and Angamaly in the evening.

Over 3,000 passengers relish inaugural run
Around 400 passengers from each station had boarded the inaugural service of Kerala’s second Vande Bharat Express on Sunday afternoon.

Elaborate functions were organised at each station – Kasaragod, Payyannur, Kannur, Thalassery, Kozhikode, Tirur, Shoranur Junction, Thrissur, Ernakulam Junction, Alappuzha, Kayamkulam Junction, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram Central.

“Souvenir tickets for the inaugural run were distributed from each station after preparing a list of passengers well before the service,” said a senior officer from the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Division.

Besides students from schools and colleges, members of various socio-cultural organisations, public and private firms and political parties were on the passengers list. “The majority of the passengers were women,” said the officer.

The passengers were given passes to the next station from where they boarded. Minister of State External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan travelled the entire stretch.

The celebrations at the Tirur Railway Station, which was included in last moment, included a show of traditional arts, including kalari payattu.