Kochi, Nov 8, 2025

The launch of Kerala’s third Vande Bharat Express — connecting Ernakulam with Bengaluru — turned into a celebration of music and emotion on Saturday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the service virtually from Varanasi.

At the Ernakulam South railway station, where a special ceremony was held, school students rendered patriotic songs inside the coaches, lending a festive touch to the inaugural run. Kerala Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar, Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian, State Law Minister P. Rajeeve, and MPs Hibi Eden and T.J. Vinod were among those present to flag off the train in person.

Southern Railway called it a “melody of joy,” capturing the excitement of passengers and staff as the blue-and-white semi-high-speed train rolled out to

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