Vande Bharat In Karnataka: Can The Semi-High-Speed Train Conquer The Challenging Western Ghats Route? | Bengaluru-news News
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A Vande Bharat rake has begun trials through the Western Ghats on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route. But can the semi-high-speed train handle this challenging section?
The Ghat section has traditionally posed operational challenges for trains, particularly when it comes to maintaining speed, braking safely and ensuring smooth movement on steep gradients.
Indian Railways News: South Western Railway’s Mysuru Division on Wednesday began field trials of a Vande Bharat Express rake fitted with an automatic emergency braking system on the challenging Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road Ghat section.
The trials are an important step towards assessing whether the semi-high-speed train can operate on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru railway route, railway officials said.
The 20-car rake, specially manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, arrived in Mysuru last week. After static trials were conducted in Mysuru on Tuesday, the rake was moved to Sakleshpur on Tuesday night for field testing.
Vande Bharat Trials Begin In Western Ghats
Mysuru Divisional Railway Manager Mudit Mittal said the field trials began early Wednesday morning, with personnel from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) on board. According to a report in Economic Times, the team is examining various technical and operational parameters during the trials, which were scheduled to continue until Wednesday afternoon.
However, testing on the Ghat section is expected to continue for a few more days under different operating conditions.
Braking, Acceleration And Stability Under Test
The trials will assess the train’s braking, acceleration, stability and other operational parameters on the challenging section.
The automatic emergency braking system fitted to the rake is also being evaluated as part of the exercise.
The testing is particularly significant because the Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road section passes through the Western Ghats and includes steep gradients, sharp curves, tunnels and bridges.
These features make the section one of the most technically demanding stretches on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru railway line.
Why The Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road Section Is Challenging
The Ghat section has traditionally posed operational challenges for trains, particularly when it comes to maintaining speed, braking safely and ensuring smooth movement on steep gradients.
Railway officials are therefore assessing how the Vande Bharat rake performs under these demanding conditions before any decision is taken on introducing regular services.
The Bengaluru-Mangaluru railway line originally operated as a metre-gauge route before being converted to broad gauge.
The line remains an important rail connection between Bengaluru and the coastal region, carrying both passenger and freight traffic.
20-Car Vande Bharat Rake Undergoing Tests
The rake being tested consists of 20 cars and was specially manufactured by ICF in Chennai. After arriving in Mysuru last week, it underwent static testing before being shifted to Sakleshpur for the more extensive field trials.
The presence of RDSO personnel during the tests is part of the railway’s assessment of the rake’s technical suitability and operational performance on the route.
Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Service May Follow
The successful completion of the trials, along with the required safety clearances, could pave the way for the possible introduction of a Vande Bharat Express service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru, officials said.
The proposed service is expected to provide faster rail connectivity between Karnataka’s capital and its coastal city.
It could also improve connectivity for passengers travelling to and from important towns along the route.
Safety Clearance Key Before Regular Service
Officials stressed that the ongoing field trials are part of the process of establishing whether the Vande Bharat rake is suitable for operation on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route.
A regular service will only be considered after the necessary technical assessments and safety clearances are completed.
For now, the focus remains on how the semi-high-speed train performs on one of the most challenging sections of the route, particularly its ability to brake, accelerate and maintain stability through the Western Ghats.
Quick Answers
Ask News18The successful completion of trials and necessary safety clearances could lead to the introduction of a Vande Bharat Express service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru. Trials began on Wednesday to assess the feasibility of operating the semi-high-speed train on this route, particularly the challenging ghat section.
Ask News18Bangalore, India, India
August 13, 2026, 14:24 IST
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