Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat: Sakleshpur Ghat Trials Successful, Service Expected To Begin Soon

The Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express has successfully completed trial runs on the challenging Sakleshpur-Sakleshpur Ghat section. The trials assessed safety and performance, clearing a key hurdle ahead of the proposed commercial service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru.

The much-awaited Vande Bharat Express service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru has crossed a major milestone after successfully completing a series of challenging trial runs on the ghat section between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road. The trials, which began on August 12 and continued on multiple days, were conducted to assess the train's performance and safety on the steep and technically demanding stretch.

With the final trial completed on Thursday, the rake has now proceeded towards Mangaluru, raising hopes that commercial services between the coast and the state capital could begin soon after the necessary approvals.

Series Of Trials Conducted On Ghat Section

The first trial run on the ghat section was conducted on August 12. Further trials were carried out on August 13, 17, 18, 19 and 20 to assess the train's performance under different operating conditions.

The General Manager of South Western Railway also participated in the inspection process and reviewed the arrangements along the route.

Following Thursday's final trial, the train travelled from Subrahmanya towards Mangaluru. Railway officials said the rake is being brought to Mangaluru before being handed over to South Western Railway.

With the challenging ghat trials now completed, passengers are awaiting the remaining high-level approvals before the proposed Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express service can begin commercial operations.

Special Vande Bharat Rake Designed For Ghat Section

The trials were particularly significant because of the challenging terrain between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road. The approximately 55-km ghat section has steep gradients of up to 1:50, making train operations technically demanding.

Regular trains operating on this stretch require additional locomotives, known as banker locomotives, to assist with movement on the steep gradients. However, the design of the Vande Bharat Express does not permit such additional locomotives to be attached.

To address this challenge, a special 20-coach Vande Bharat rake was manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai specifically for the ghat route. The rake arrived in Mysuru and underwent static testing on August 11 before being moved to Sakleshpur later that night.

Safety Systems And Emergency Braking Tested

The trial runs were supervised by a team of experts from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) under the Railway Ministry. Several technical and safety parameters were assessed during the trials, including speed control, driving performance and braking distance during emergency situations.

Automatic Emergency Brake System

The special rake is equipped with an Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system, designed to enhance safety while operating through the challenging ghat section.

Maximum Speed Set At 30 Kmph

For operations on the ghat section, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has prescribed a maximum speed of 30 kmph. The AEB system has been configured to ensure that the train does not exceed the permitted speed on this stretch.

With the series of ghat trials now successfully completed, the proposed Vande Bharat Express between Mangaluru and Bengaluru has cleared a crucial technical hurdle. The service is expected to be launched once the remaining approvals and formalities are completed.