Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Centre adds Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat coaches as Onam gift
Indian Railways is making a train bigger for Onam, an important festival in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
Many people from Kerala live and work in other states.
They want to travel home to celebrate Onam with their families.
The special train called Vande Bharat Express runs between Bengaluru and Ernakulam.
It will soon have sixteen coaches instead of eight.
The change starts on August 17.
A leader from the BJP party called this an Onam gift from the central government.
The decision came after talks with the Railway Minister.
The railway ministry may also add coaches to trains from Mumbai and Chennai.
This will help more people get home for the festival.
The Railway Ministry ordered increasing the Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express (26651/52) coaches from eight to 16, effective August 17.
BJP national executive member P K Krishnadas described the decision as an Onam gift from the Centre to the people of Kerala.
The move followed discussions by BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, State General Secretary Anoop Antony, and Krishnadas with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The Railway Ministry said it would soon consider increasing coaches on trains to Kerala from Mumbai and Chennai as well.
Further discussions are planned for additional coaches and special travel arrangements for Keralites returning home for Onam.
- Who
- The Centre (Indian Railways), Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, BJP state leaders Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Anoop Antony and P K Krishnadas, and Keralites working in other states.
- What
- The number of coaches on the Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express (26651/52) will be increased from eight to 16.
- When
- Announced on August 15, effective from August 17.
- Where
- On the Bengaluru-Ernakulam rail route, serving Kerala, India.
- Why
- To help Keralites working in other states travel home for the Onam celebrations.
- Train
- Vande Bharat Express (26651/52)
- Route
- Bengaluru-Ernakulam
- Coaches before
- 8
- Coaches after
- 16
- Effective date
- August 17
- Announcement date
- August 15
- Announced by
- P K Krishnadas, BJP national executive member
- Railway Minister
- Ashwini Vaishnaw