SWR General Manager inspects trial run of Vande Bharat train between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road stations on Bengaluru-Mangaluru route
South Western Railway General Manager P. Ananth inspected a trial run of a Vande Bharat Express train on the challenging Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road ghat section. The inspection focused on infrastructure readiness, safety protocols, and station redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Why it matters
The introduction of Vande Bharat services on this difficult terrain is a significant step in improving connectivity and passenger infrastructure between Bengaluru and the coastal region of Mangaluru.
With people of coastal region awaiting the launch of a Vande Bharat Express service between Mangaluru and Bengaluru, P. Ananth, General Manager, South Western Railway (SWR), inspected the trial run of the train between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road stations on August 18.
A custom-made 20-car Vande Bharat Express train rake with automatic emergency brake (AEB) system traverses the Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road ghat section during the trial run on August 12, 2026. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
He reviewed the ongoing infrastructure and passenger amenity work being undertaken in the section.
The Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road section, passing through the Western Ghats, is a challenging railway stretch characterised by steep gradients, tunnels, bridges, and curves. During the inspection, the General Manager reviewed the operational and safety aspects associated with the Vande Bharat Express trial run. He assessed the preparedness of the railway infrastructure along the section.
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