In response to a growing surge in passenger numbers, Indian Railways has announced a major upgrade for the Mangaluru Central–Thiruvananthapuram Central Vande Bharat Express. Beginning May 22, this premium service, designated as Train No. 20631/20632, will operate with an expanded formation of 16 coaches, doubling its current size.

The enhancement will include the addition of one executive class coach and seven standard chair car coaches on each end of the train. This strategic expansion means the train will now comprise a total of 14 chair car coaches and two executive class coaches. The current eight-coach configuration has been struggling to accommodate the high volume of travelers on this popular route.

The extended rake is part of Indian Railways’ ongoing initiative to revamp Vande Bharat services along busy corridors. By deploying longer trains, the aim is to ease congestion, reduce waiting lists, and offer a more comfortable journey to commuters across key cities in southern India.

Officials stated that this upgrade reflects the success and popularity of the Vande Bharat brand, particularly on routes with consistent heavy footfall. The revamped train will cater to both executive and budget-conscious travelers, delivering speed, safety, and enhanced capacity in one package.

This move is expected to significantly improve travel convenience for passengers commuting between Karnataka and Kerala, especially during peak seasons and holidays.