Kerala's first Vande Bharat Express completes second trial run

An official said that Kerala`s first Vande Bharat Express train completed its second trial run on Wednesday from here to Kasaragod in 7 hours and 50 minutes.

The train, which departed Thiruvananthapuram at 5.20 a.m., arrived at Kasaragod at 1.10 p.m.

The train's first trial run was conducted on Monday from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur.

On Tuesday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had announced that the Vande Bharat Express will be extended till Kasaragod instead of ending at Kannur.

The decision to extend the service was taken following requests from BJP and Congress leaders.

Several people welcomed the train at Kasaragod station, including Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan, who also requested that the train service be extended to Kasaragod.

The first stop was at Kollam, followed by Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the Vande Bharat Express from Thiruvananthapuram on April 25.