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{{Italic title}}{{short description|Vande Bharat Express train route in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Mangaluru Central - Thiruvananthapuram Central ''Vande Bharat Express''
| native_name = ''Vande Bharat Express''
| color2 = FF7220
| color = FF7220
| image = Thiruvananthapuram Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express (via Alappuzha) - 1st Rake.jpg
| image_size = 325px
| caption = First '''''Saffron-Grey''''' Mini ''Vande Bharat Express'' at [[Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station|Thiruvananthapuram Central]] departing for {{stnlnk|Kasaragod}}
| type = [[Vande Bharat Express]]
| status = Active
| locale = [[Karnataka]] and [[Kerala]]
| first = {{start date|2023|09|25|df=y}} (Commercial run) {{start date and age|12 March 2024}} (Extended run)
| last =
| operator = [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railways (SR)]]
| ridership =
| start = [[Mangalore Central railway station|Mangaluru Central]] '''(MAQ)'''
| stops = 9
| end = [[Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station|Thiruvananthapuram Central]] '''(TVC)'''
| distance = {{convert|620|km|0|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 08hrs 40mins
| frequency = 6 days a week{{efn|Except Wednesdays}}
| trainnumber = 20631 / 20632
| line_used = [[Shoranur–Mangalore section]] [[Shoranur–Cochin Harbour section]] [[Ernakulam–Kayamkulam coastal line]] [[Kollam–Thiruvananthapuram trunk line]]
| class = AC Chair Car, AC Executive Chair Car
| seating = {{Hlist|Airline style|Rotatable seats}}
| sleeping = No
| autorack = Yes
| catering = On-board catering
| observation = Large windows in all coaches
| electrification = [[25 kV 50 Hz AC]] Overhead line
| entertainment = {{Hlist|[[Wi-Fi|On-board WiFi]]|Infotainment System|[[AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types#Indian IS 1293|Electric outlets]]|Reading light|Seat Pockets|Bottle Holder|Tray Table}}
| baggage = Overhead racks
| otherfacilities = [[Kavach (train protection system)|Kavach]]
| stock = [[Vande Bharat (trainset)#Second generation|Vande Bharat 2.0]] ''(Last service: Sept 08 2025)'' [[Vande Bharat (trainset)#Second generation|Vande Bharat 3.0]] ''(First service: Sept 09 2025)''
| gauge = [[5 ft 6 in gauge railway|Indian gauge]] {{track gauge|1676mm|allk=on}} [[broad gauge]]
| speed = {{cvt|72|km/h|0|abbr=on}} (Avg.)
| trainlength = {{convert|415|m|ft}} (20 coaches)
| owners = [[Indian Railways]]
| maintenance = [[Mangalore Central railway station|Mangaluru Central]], [[Palakkad railway division]]
| map = {{Mangaluru Central-Thiruvananthapuram VB Express Route}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}

The 20631/20632 '''Mangaluru Central - Thiruvananthapuram ''Vande Bharat Express''''' is India's 33rd [[Vande Bharat Express]] train, connecting West [[Karnataka]]'s coastal city [[Mangaluru]] with [[Kerala]]'s south and state capital [[Thiruvananthapuram]]. It is the second Vande Bharat Express in Kerala as well as India's first [[Saffron (color)|saffron]] coloured semi-high speed train (replaced with White Blue Vandebharat rake of the pairing train after extension to Mangalore Central).

== History ==
The first Vande Bharat train in Kerala started its service between [[Kasaragod]] and [[Thiruvananthapuram]] via [[Kottayam]] route in April 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-03-12 |title=PM launches Vande Bharat train service between Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/pm-launches-vande-bharat-train-service-between-mangaluru-and-thiruvananthapuram/article67942147.ece |access-date=2024-03-12 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> With increase in patronage, there has been a strong demand by the passengers to have a second Vande Bharat between Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram so as to increase the frequency of this route per day to three trains. This vande bharat express is the fastest train between Mangaluru Central to Thiruvananthapuram Central and vice versa.

The initial service of this Vande Bharat Express train from [[Kasaragod railway station|Kasaragod]] to [[Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station|Thiruvananthapuram Central]] was inaugurated on 24 September 2023 by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] via [[Videotelephony|video conference]] from [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala's second Vande Bharat to operate between Kasaragod and TVM via Alappuzha from Sept 24 |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2023/09/19/second-vande-bharat-express-between-kasaragod-trivandrum-via-alappuzha-sept-24.html |access-date=20 September 2023 |website=OnManorama}}</ref> The extension of train from Kasaragod to Mangaluru was inaugurated on 12 March 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conference from [[Ahmedabad]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=PM Modi virtually flags off extended Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express |url=https://www.daijiworld.com/index.php/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1174944 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=www.daijiworld.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=aishwarya.nair |title=Kerala: PM Modi flags off extended Vande Bharat service from Mangaluru to Thiruvananthapuram |url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/india/kerala-pm-modi-flags-off-extended-vande-bharat-service-from-mangaluru-to-thiruvananthapuram-anr-sa89fa |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bharathi |first=Vartha |title=PM Modi Inaugurates Mangaluru Central-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express Train |url=https://english.varthabharati.in/karavali/pm-modi-inaugurates-mangaluru-central-thiruvananthapuram-vande-bharat-express-train |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=english.varthabharati.in |language=en}}</ref>

==Overview==
This train is operated by [[Indian Railways]], connecting [[Mangalore Central railway station|Mangaluru Ctrl]], [[Kasaragod railway station|Kasaragod]], [[Kannur railway station|Kannur]], [[Kozhikode railway station|Kozhikode]], [[Tirur railway station|Tirur]], [[Shoranur Junction railway station|Shoranur Junction]], [[Thrissur railway station|Thrissur]], [[Ernakulam Junction railway station|Ernakulam Junction]], [[Alappuzha railway station|Alappuzha]], [[Kollam Junction railway station|Kollam Junction]] and [[Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station|Thiruvananthapuram Central]]. It is the second Vande Bharat Express train allocated to [[Kerala]]. It is currently operated with train numbers 20631/20632.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-12 |title=Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express |url=https://www.news9live.com/business/biz-news/kasaragod-thiruvananthapuram-vande-bharat-express-route-ticket-price-timings-2463568 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=News9live |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-12 |title=Extended Vande Bharat flagged off by PM Modi |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/extended-vande-bharat-flagged-off-1.9399981 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=English.Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 September 2023 |title=കേരളത്തിന്റെ രണ്ടാം വന്ദേഭാരത്: സമയക്രമമായി, ഞായറാഴ്ച സർവീസ് ആരംഭിച്ചേക്കും |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kerala-second-vande-bharat-route-stop-timing-1.8917879 |access-date=20 September 2023 |website=Mathrubhumi}}</ref>

== Rakes ==
It was the thirty-first [[Vande Bharat (trainset)#Second generation (Vande Bharat 2.0)|2nd Generation]] and nineteenth [[Vande Bharat Express#Mini Vande Bharat Express|'''Mini Vande Bharat 2.0 Express train''']] which was designed and manufactured by the [[Integral Coach Factory]] at [[Perambur]], [[Chennai]] under the [[Make in India]] Initiative.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Train 18, India's Fastest, Named "Vande Bharat Express": Piyush Goyal |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/train-18-indias-fastest-named-vande-bharat-express-piyush-goyal-1983965 |access-date=19 April 2023 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala's second Vande Bharat: ഇനി വൈകില്ല കേരളത്തിന്റെ രണ്ടാം വന്ദേഭാരത്; റൂട്ടും സമയക്രമവും തയ്യാര്‍ |url=https://malayalam.indiatoday.in/keralam/story/keralas-second-vande-bharat-express-train-check-flag-off-date-route-schedule-here-680888-2023-09-20 |access-date=20 September 2023 |website=India Today Malayalam |language=ml}}</ref> It is India's first [[Vande Bharat Express#Mini Vande Bharat Express|Mini VB 2.0 Express train]], running the tracks with the '''''Saffron-Grey''''' livery with 25 more modifications in the rakes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 2023 |title=Kerala's second Vande Bharat train to start from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram |url=https://globalgreenews.com/2023/09/22/keralas-second-vande-bharat-train-to-start-from-kasaragod-to-thiruvananthapuram/ |access-date=23 September 2023 |website=Global Green News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Indias 1st Saffron Coloured Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express Flagged Off |url=https://zeenews.india.com/railways/indias-first-saffron-coloured-tirunelveli-madurai-chennai-vande-bharat-express-flagged-off-2666603.html |access-date=25 September 2023 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref> As per reports, a pairing train rake is allocated as there are a few problems in the maintenance of the train as per the current Time Table.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.manoramanews.com/news/kerala/2023/09/27/thiruvananthapuram-vande-bharat-after-the-second-serve-the-third-rake-came.html |title=കേരളത്തിന് മൂന്നാമത്തെ വന്ദേഭാരത് റേക്ക്; വെള്ളയും നീലയും നിറം }}</ref>

=== Switch of Rakes ===
After extension till Mangalore, the maintenance problem has been resolved and the Saffron Grey rakes are swapped and replaced with White Blue Vandebharat rake of the pairing train. In August 2024, the Saffron Grey rake was made to run as temporary special service along Ernakulam - SMVT Bengaluru route. As of September 2024, the first saffron colored Vande Bharat rake is moved to [[Howrah–Rourkela Vande Bharat Express|Howrah - Rourkela]] route and the Mangaluru Central–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express is running with one and only White Blue 8 car coach.

=== Coach Augmentation ===
The 20631/20632 Mangaluru Central - Thiruvananthapuram Central Vande Bharat Express was permanently augmented with 08 more coaches and was running with 16-car [[Vande Bharat (trainset)#Second generation|Vande Bharat 2.0 trainset]] '''''W.E.F. 22 May 2025''''' in order to meet the extra rush and passenger demands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TVM–Mangaluru Vande Bharat begins service with 16 coaches |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/travel-news/2025/05/22/tvm-mangaluru-vande-bharat-begins-service-with-sixteen-coaches.html |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=TVM–Mangaluru Vande Bharat begins service with 16 coaches |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-08 |title=Mangaluru–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express to get more coaches |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/mangaluruthiruvananthapuram-vande-bharat-express-to-get-more-coaches/articleshow/121001723.cms |access-date=2025-05-09 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-08 |title=Coaches in Thiruvananthapuram -Mangalore Vande Bharat to be increased to 16 from May 22 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/coaches-in-thiruvananthapuram-mangalore-vande-bharat-to-be-increased-to-16-from-may-22/article69553914.ece |access-date=2025-05-09 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru Vande Bharat to be upgraded to 16-car rake |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/kerala/2025/05/08/vande-bharat-thiruvananthapuram-mangaluru-upgrade.html |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru Vande Bharat to be upgraded to 16-car rake |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bureau |first=DTNEXT |date=2025-05-08 |title=Permanent augmentation of Mangaluru - Thiruvananthapuram - Mangaluru Vande Bharat express train announced |url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/national/permanent-augmentation-ofmangaluru-thiruvananthapuram-mangaluruvande-bharat-express-train-announced-832958 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=www.dtnext.in |language=en}}</ref> The 16-coach trainset was earlier running as [[Chennai Egmore–Nagercoil Junction Vande Bharat Express|Chennai Egmore–Nagercoil VB Express]], which started from the capital city of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Chennai]] and terminated at the Temple City of [[Nāga]]s, [[Nagercoil]].

As of September 11, 2025, this express train has been further augmented with 4 additional AC coaches<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-04 |title=Four more coaches to be added to Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/four-more-coaches-to-be-added-to-mangaluru-thiruvananthapuram-vande-bharat-express/article70013106.ece |access-date=2025-09-11 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and is currently running with [[Vande Bharat (trainset)#Second generation|Vande Bharat 3.0 trainset]], in order to meet the surge in passenger demand on this popular route.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-09 |title=New 20-car Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram VB Express begins services |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/new-20-car-mangaluru-thiruvananthapuram-vb-express-begins-services/article70030295.ece |access-date=2025-09-11 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-09 |title=Upgraded 20-car Vande Bharat begins service on Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru route |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/upgraded-20-car-vande-bharat-begins-service-thiruvananthapuram-mangaluru-route/article70029845.ece |access-date=2025-09-11 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-09 |title=Southern Railway upgrades Mangaluru–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat to 20 coaches |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/southern-railway-upgrades-mangaluruthiruvananthapuram-vande-bharat-to-20-coaches-o2sh3nov |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=@mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-06 |title=Two years after launch, Railways upgrades India's 30th Vande Bharat train to 20 coaches – check route |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/railways-upgrades-indias-30th-vande-bharat-train-to-20-coaches-check-route-10233775/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-04 |title=Vande Bharat Express trains in Kerala to get 20 coaches each |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/both-vande-bharat-express-trains-in-kerala-to-get-20-coaches-each/article70013249.ece |access-date=2025-09-11 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Service ==

The 20631/20632 Mangaluru Ctrl - Thiruvananthapuram Ctrl Vande Bharat Express operates six days a week except Wednesdays, covering a distance of {{cvt|620|km}} in a travel time of 8 hours with an average speed of {{cvt|72|km/h}}. The service has 9 intermediate stops. The Maximum Permissible Speed is {{cvt|110|km/h}}.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Mangaluru Ctrl - Thiruvananthapuram Ctrl Vande Bharat Express (20631) <ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Railways Train Enquiry, Insights & IRCTC eTicket booking - RailYatri |url=https://www.railyatri.in/time-table/20631 |access-date=2026-04-07 |website=www.railyatri.in |language=en}}</ref>
|-
! scope="col" | Station
! scope="col" | Station Code
! scope="col" | Arrival
! scope="col" | Departure
! scope="col" | Halt (min)
! scope="col" | Distance (km)
! scope="col" | Day
|-
| Mangalore Cntl
| MAQ
|—
| 06:25
|—
|—
| 1
|-
| Kasaragod
| KGQ
| 06:58
| 07:00
| 2
| 46
| 1
|-
| Kannur
| CAN
| 07:55
| 07:57
| 2
| 132
| 1
|-
|Kozhikode
|CLT
|08:57
|08:59
|2
|221
|1
|-
|Tirur
|TIR
|09:22
|09:24
|2
|262
|1
|-
|Shoranur Jn
|SRR
|09:58
|10:00
|2
|307
|1
|-
|Thrissur
|TCR
|10:33
|10:35
|2
|340
|1
|-
|Ernakulam Jn
|ERS
|11:40
|11:43
|3
|414
|1
|-
| Alleppey
| ALLP
| 12:33
|12:35
|2
| 471
| 1
|-
|Kollam Jn
|QLN
|13:38
|13:40
|2
|555
|1
|-
|Trivandrum Central
|TVC
|15:05
|—
|—
|619
|1
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Thiruvananthapuram Ctrl - Mangaluru Ctrl Vande Bharat Express (22436) <ref>{{Cite web |title=20632 Vande Bharat Express Train Schedule & Route Details - RailYatri |url=http://www.railyatri.in/app |access-date=2026-04-07 |website=www.railyatri.in |language=en}}</ref>
|-
! scope="col" | Station
! scope="col" | Station Code
! scope="col" | Arrival
! scope="col" | Departure
! scope="col" | Halt (min)
! scope="col" | Distance (km)
! scope="col" | Day
|-
| Trivandrum Central
| TVC
|—
| 16:05
|—
|—
| 1
|-
| Kollam Jn
| QLN
| 16:53
| 16:55
| 2
| 65
| 1
|-
| Alleppey
| ALLP
| 17:55
| 17:57
| 2
| 149
| 1
|-
| Ernakulam Jn
| ERS
| 18:42
|18:45
|3
| 206
| 1
|-
|Thrissur
|TCR
|19:56
|19:58
|2
|280
|1
|-
|Shoranur Jn
|SRR
|20:30
|20:32
|2
|313
|1
|-
|Tirur
|TIR
|21:02
|21:04
|2
|358
|1
|-
|Kozhikode
|CLT
|21:32
|21:34
|2
|399
|1
|-
|Kannur
|CAN
|22:36
|22:38
|2
|488
|1
|-
|Kasaragod
|KGQ
|23:46
|23:48
|2
|574
|1
|-
|Mangalore Cntl
|MAQ
|00:45
|—
|—
|619
|2
|}

== Gallery ==
<gallery class="center" mode="packed-hover" heights="125" widths="200">
File:Thiruvananthapuram Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express (via Alappuzha) - 2nd Rake.jpg|3rd Rake of this Mini Vande Bharat Express train
File:Thiruvananthapuram Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express (via Alappuzha) - Dual Rakes.jpg|Dual Rakes of this Mini VB Express train
File:KGQ TVC VB at Kasaragod.jpg|This Mini Vande Bharat Express train at {{stnlnk|Kasaragod}} railway station and getting ready for departure towards [[Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station|Trivandrum Ctrl]]
File:Crowd gathers at Kollam Junction to welcome Vande Bharat Express, Sep 2023.jpg|Crowd at [[Kollam Junction railway station]] on 24 September 2023 to welcome the second Vande Bharat Express allotted to [[Kerala]]
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Kasaragod–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express]]
* [[KSR Bengaluru–Ernakulam Junction Vande Bharat Express]]
* [[Kannur–Thiruvananthapuram Jan Shatabdi Express]]
* [[Kozhikode–Thiruvananthapuram Jan Shatabdi Express]]
* [[Ernakulam–Kannur Express|Executive Express]]
* [[Mangalore Central railway station]]
* [[Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station]]
* [[Alappuzha railway station]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Vande Bharat Express}}
{{Express trains running through Kerala}}

{{coord missing|Kerala}}

[[Category:Vande Bharat Express trains]]
[[Category:Named passenger trains of India]]
[[Category:Higher-speed rail]]
[[Category:Express trains in India]]
[[Category:Electric multiple units of India]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Kerala]]
[[Category:Transport in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Kasaragod district]]

Mangaluru Central–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express - Revision history

Keem Fame rich: Made article