Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed on Tuesday that the Vande Bharat Express, which currently links Mangaluru Central with Madgaon, will be extended to Yeshwanthpur in Bengaluru, marking a new direct rail corridor between coastal Karnataka and the state capital.
The decision follows a successful trial run conducted on Sep 10, during which the train covered the Mangaluru‑Madgaon stretch in 7 hours and 5 minutes. Officials monitored performance metrics closely, confirming that the high‑speed service met safety and punctuality standards required for a longer route.
Extending the Vande Bharat to Bengaluru is expected to cut travel time dramatically compared with existing services, offering a faster alternative for business travelers, tourists and residents of the coastal belt. The new segment will bridge a gap of roughly 350 kilometres, linking the Konkan Railway line with the South Western Railway network at Yeshwanthpur.
State authorities anticipate that the enhanced connectivity will stimulate economic activity in the region, facilitating smoother movement of goods and encouraging investment in tourism and industry. Local chambers of commerce have welcomed the move, citing potential growth in coastal‑city trade and increased passenger footfall at Mangaluru Central.
While the exact inauguration date remains under discussion, the Ministry of Railways has indicated that necessary infrastructure upgrades, including platform extensions and signalling enhancements, are already underway. Once operational, the extended Vande Bharat will join a select group of premium trains serving major Indian metros, reinforcing the government’s push for modern, high‑speed rail travel across the country.
Image: varthabharati.in
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK