Tirupati-Secunderabad Vande Bharat Upgraded: SCR Adds 20 Coaches to Tackle Heavy Passenger Traffic

The South Central Railway (SCR) has permanently upgraded the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express with four additional AC Chair Car coaches, expanding the premium train from a 16-coach to a 20-coach rake. The South Central has taken this decision in response to the consistently rising passenger demand on this popular South India route.

As per the official announcements, from November 26, both Train No. 20701, which runs from Secunderabad to Tirupati, and Train No. 20702, running from Tirupati to Secunderabad, will operate with the enhanced rake configuration. The train now carries 18 AC Chair Cars (up from 14 earlier) along with 2 Executive Class coaches, which will further improve the overall capacity and comfort.

312 Additional Seats Added: Total Capacity Now Over 1,440

With the expansion by four coaches, the seating capacity has increased by 312 seats, taking the total number of seats to approximately 1,440, compared to the earlier 1,128 seats. This major upgrade in this Vande Bharat train will make life easier for passengers with easier ticket availability and a more spacious travel experience for passengers.

SCR officials confirmed that while the train length has increased, there is no change in timings or stoppages. The service will continue to follow its existing schedule, ensuring convenience for regular travellers.

The Secunderabad-Tirupati corridor is one of the busiest routes in the region because of the pilgrims travelling to Tirupati. A large part of the travellers also consists of students, working professionals, tourists and business travellers. Vande Bharat services on this route consistently record high booking numbers.

More Vande Bharat Trains Across India Upgraded to 20-Coach Rakes

The Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat is not the only train receiving this expansion. Indian Railways has begun converting several Vande Bharat Express trains to 20-coach formations to cope with demand, including:

Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express

Chennai Egmore-Tirunelveli Vande Bharat Express

India's 30th Vande Bharat Express, recently upgraded. These expansions help solve problems like overcrowding and improve travel comfort while providing better connectivity for passengers on high-density routes.

The Vande Bharat Express is currently one of the most preferred trains for its speed, comfort, and modern facilities.