Trial runs of the proposed Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express have begun on the Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road ghat section, a crucial safety test before commercial operations can be considered.
Vande Bharat Trial Begins on Sakleshpur Ghat Section
The trial programme began on August 11, 2026, on the nearly 55-km Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road stretch of the Mangaluru–Hassan–Bengaluru route. The tests will examine whether the Vande Bharat trainset can safely negotiate the steep gradients, sharp curves, tunnels and bridges of the Western Ghats.
The trial period is scheduled to continue until August 20, with the Research Designs and Standards Organisation and South Western Railway teams evaluating performance under actual ghat conditions.
AEB Safety System Under Assessment
A specially prepared Vande Bharat rake fitted with an Automatic Emergency Braking system is being used for the tests. The AEB feature can automatically apply the brakes if the train exceeds the permitted speed on the steep ghat section. Officials will study braking behaviour, acceleration, deceleration, train handling and operating timings.
The route is particularly demanding because conventional trains often require additional banker locomotives to negotiate its gradients safely.
Western Ghats Section Poses Engineering Challenges
The Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road section passes through rugged Western Ghats terrain, with 57 tunnels, more than 200 bridges and 108 sharp curves. Heavy monsoon rain, landslides and difficult track access add to the operational challenges.
Electrification of the ghat section was completed in December 2025, clearing a major infrastructure hurdle for the proposed electric Vande Bharat service linking Bengaluru with coastal Karnataka.
Commercial Service Awaits Trial Results
The start of trials does not mean passenger operations will begin immediately. Data gathered during the runs will be examined to determine whether the train satisfies the required safety and operational standards. Railway authorities will need to complete the necessary review and clearance process before regular Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat services can start.
Successful trials would bring the proposed service closer to launch and could strengthen connectivity between Bengaluru, Hassan, Sakleshpur and Mangaluru while offering passengers a modern rail option across one of Karnataka’s most scenic corridors.
