Indian Railways is conducting crucial safety trials for the Vande Bharat Express on the demanding Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road section of the Western Ghats. These rigorous evaluations aim to ensure absolute passenger safety before launching commercial operations on this picturesque yet challenging route. Here are the key highlights of the ongoing trials. Safety trials are underway on the 55-km Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road stretch featuring 57 tunnels, 226 bridges, 108 sharp curves, and steep 1 in 50 gradients. The Commissioner of Railway Safety mandated a strict 30 kmph speed limit for all trains operating on this segment. Initial assessments ran from August 12 to August 20, 2026, using a specially manufactured 20-coach rake equipped with an Automatic Emergency Braking system. A subsequent trial with a 16-coach rake took place on September 5, 2026, between Yesvantpur Junction and Mangaluru Central to test tentative schedules. Commercial launch dates, formal stoppages, and fares remain pending until final approvals are secured from the Railway Board and the Commissioner of Railway Safety.
The
approximately 55-km stretch through the Western Ghats is widely recognized as one of the most technically demanding railway segments in the country. Because of extreme geographical constraints, including
57 tunnels, 226 bridges, 108 sharp curves, and steep gradients of 1 in 50, operating high-speed modern rakes requires meticulous planning. To prioritize passenger safety above all else,
the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has mandated a maximum speed limit of 30 kmph for all trains navigating this segment.
Initial safety assessments successfully ran
from August 12, 2026, through August 20, 2026. Railway authorities deployed a
specially manufactured 20-coach Vande Bharat rake equipped with an Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system to monitor speeds and ensure failsafe operations. Personnel from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) closely monitored stability, acceleration, and braking performance under harsh ghat conditions. Following these technical evaluations,
a further trial run involving a 16-coach Vande Bharat train was conducted on September 5, 2026, between Yesvantpur Junction and Mangaluru Central. This assessment helped authorities analyze travel times based on a tentative schedule where the train departed Yesvantpur at 6:05 AM and arrived at Mangaluru Central at 2:25 PM, taking eight hours and 20 minutes. The return leg was mapped to depart Mangaluru Central at 3:00 PM and reach Yesvantpur by 11:00 PM. Railway officials have clarified that these timings are strictly for testing purposes and do not represent the final commercial timetable.
Mysuru Divisional Railway Manager Mudit Mittal confirmed that trials will continue until every operational parameter meets stringent safety standards. Although Minister of State for Railways V Somanna had previously indicated a tentative June 2026 launch for the Bengaluru-Mangaluru service, the complex nature of the Western Ghats terrain necessitated extended safety evaluations. Commuters and rail enthusiasts must wait for official announcements, as
commercial launch dates, final fares, and formal stoppages will be determined only after receiving final approval from the Railway Board and the Commissioner of Railway Safety.
