The Thiruvananthapuram Central–Mangaluru Central Vande Bharat Express has emerged as the most crowded Vande Bharat service in the country, registering the highest occupancy rate among all routes operated by Indian Railways.
According to railway data, Train No. 20632 has achieved an impressive occupancy rate of 187.78%, making it the busiest Vande Bharat Express in India. The figure indicates that the train carries significantly more passengers than its seating capacity across different segments of the journey.
Why Is Occupancy So High?
The route connects major cities and towns across Kerala and coastal Karnataka, witnessing heavy daily demand from students, office-goers, business travellers and tourists.
Several factors contribute to the exceptional occupancy:
- Strong inter-city travel demand across Kerala and Karnataka.
- Limited availability of equally fast and comfortable alternatives.
- High passenger movement for short-distance journeys.
- Frequent boarding and deboarding at multiple stations throughout the route.
High Passenger Turnover Drives Numbers
Stations such as Kollam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod witness substantial passenger traffic. As travellers disembark at different stations, the same seats are occupied by new passengers for subsequent segments of the journey.
This continuous seat utilisation allows occupancy figures to exceed 100%, resulting in one of the highest passenger turnover rates in the Vande Bharat network.
Growing Popularity Of Vande Bharat
Since its introduction, the Vande Bharat Express has become a preferred choice for passengers seeking faster travel, modern amenities and improved comfort. The remarkable success of the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru route highlights the growing demand for premium semi-high-speed rail services in southern India.
The train’s record-breaking occupancy also reflects the need for enhanced rail connectivity and additional capacity on some of India’s busiest travel corridors.