Bengaluru Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express finishes tough Western Ghats trials
Indian Railways has successfully concluded a series of technical trial runs for the Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express, navigating the challenging Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road ghat section. Conducted by the Research, Designs and Standards Organisation under the Ministry of Railways and South Western Railway, the trials took place between August 12 and August 20, 2026. Here is a quick look at the key highlights from these recent trials:
The trials were conducted between August 12 and August 20, 2026, by RDSO and South Western Railway.
A specially manufactured 20-car Vande Bharat rake from ICF Chennai was used for testing, featuring an Automatic Emergency Braking system.
The ghat section electrification was completed in December 2025 at a cost of approximately ₹93.5 crore.
Commercial launch dates and timings are pending awaiting final clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety.
Navigating the Challenging Western Ghats
The 55-kilometer ghat section is recognized as one of the most technically demanding segments of the Indian railway network. It incorporates 57 tunnels, 226 bridges, and 108 sharp curves, alongside a steep ruling gradient of 1 in 50. Additionally, the region is prone to landslides and rockfalls, particularly during monsoon seasons, making this trial a major milestone for passenger connectivity in Karnataka.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Next Steps
To facilitate this operation, electrification of the section was completed in December 2025 at a cost of approximately ₹93.5 crore, a project that commenced in December 2023. Mysuru Divisional Railway Manager Mudit Mittal noted that while a 20-car rake was used for testing, officials are awaiting a designated 16-car rake fitted with the AEB system for commercial service.
The Commissioner of Railway Safety has mandated a maximum speed of 30 kmph for trains on this stretch to ensure safety. Railway authorities are currently reviewing data gathered during the trials. Final commercial launch dates, routes, timings, and scheduled stops remain pending, awaiting formal notification and clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety.