Bengaluru Mangaluru Vande Bharat Trial Run Scheduled Through Scenic Western Ghats Route

The long awaited Bengaluru Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express is finally set to begin its trial operations, bringing renewed excitement among railway passengers across Karnataka. After an earlier postponement due to technical reasons, the Railway authorities have now scheduled the trial run to begin on August 11. If the testing is completed successfully, the premium train service is expected to move one step closer to regular commercial operations on one of the state’s most picturesque railway routes.

The upcoming trial will not only evaluate the train’s performance but will also test newly introduced safety systems designed specifically for the demanding ghat section between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road. Railway officials believe this stage is crucial before granting approval for full passenger services on the route.

The trial run will continue from August 11 to August 20 under the supervision of experts from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation. Officials from the Mysuru Division of the South Western Railway have completed extensive preparations for the testing phase. Engineers and technical teams will monitor every aspect of the train’s performance, especially while passing through the steep gradients and sharp curves of the Western Ghats.

Earlier, railway authorities had planned to begin the trial several weeks ago. However, the schedule had to be postponed because the required train set equipped with Automatic Emergency Braking technology was not available at the time. Since the Bengaluru Mangaluru route includes one of the most technically challenging railway stretches in southern India, officials decided not to proceed until the appropriate equipment became available.

The Sakleshpur to Subrahmanya Road section is widely regarded as one of the most scenic railway routes in the country. Stretching for nearly 55 kilometres through dense forests and mountain landscapes, the railway line offers spectacular views throughout the journey. It is also considered one of the most complex routes from an engineering perspective because of its steep slopes and continuous elevation changes.

This mountain section includes 57 tunnels, 258 bridges, and 108 sharp curves. These geographical features make train operations considerably more demanding compared to ordinary railway routes. Every train passing through the section requires precise speed management and highly reliable braking systems to ensure safe movement across the challenging terrain.

The Vande Bharat Express already features modern electro pneumatic disc brakes along with regenerative braking technology. These systems help improve efficiency while reducing wear on braking components. However, railway experts determined that the unique characteristics of the Sakleshpur ghat section required an additional layer of safety before introducing high speed passenger operations.

Traditionally, trains travelling through this steep mountain stretch are assisted by banker locomotives. These additional engines provide extra power and braking support while climbing or descending difficult gradients. Attaching and removing banker engines generally takes around fifteen minutes, increasing the overall travel time.

For the Vande Bharat Express, using banker locomotives presents an additional challenge. The train’s aerodynamic front design would require extra procedures before connecting an external locomotive, making the process less practical for a premium high speed service. Railway authorities therefore preferred a technological solution that would maintain operational efficiency without affecting the train’s streamlined design.

To overcome this challenge, the Railway has introduced a specially equipped Vande Bharat rake featuring Automatic Emergency Braking technology. This system can automatically regulate the train’s speed to a maximum of around 30 kilometres per hour whenever required while travelling through particularly steep sections. The technology is expected to significantly improve operational safety and reduce dependence on additional locomotives.

Officials believe the successful implementation of Automatic Emergency Braking will be an important milestone for Indian Railways. Besides improving passenger safety, the technology may also reduce travel time by eliminating lengthy operational procedures associated with banker engines. The trial will carefully assess how effectively the system performs under real operating conditions across the mountainous terrain.

The Railway Ministry has previously expressed confidence that the Bengaluru Mangaluru Vande Bharat service will improve connectivity between Karnataka’s capital and the coastal region. The route is expected to benefit business travellers, tourists, students, and regular passengers by providing a faster and more comfortable travel experience compared with conventional train services.

The journey itself promises to become one of the biggest attractions. As the train passes through lush green forests, deep valleys, tunnels, and bridges across the Western Ghats, passengers are expected to enjoy breathtaking natural scenery throughout the route. During the monsoon season in particular, the landscape transforms into a spectacular display of waterfalls, mist covered hills, and dense vegetation, making the rail journey an experience in itself.

According to railway officials, once the trial run is completed successfully and all technical parameters receive approval, the Railway Board is expected to grant permission for commercial operations. Engineers will analyse braking performance, speed control, communication systems, and overall operational safety before giving the final clearance.

With the arrival of the specially equipped rake and comprehensive preparations now in place, expectations surrounding the Bengaluru Mangaluru Vande Bharat have increased once again. If the upcoming trial delivers the desired results, passengers across Karnataka may soon be able to travel aboard one of India’s most advanced trains while enjoying one of the country’s most beautiful railway journeys through the magnificent Western Ghats.