Railway authorities have officially sanctioned a stop for the Yashavantpur‑Madgaon‑Yashavantpur Vande Bharat Express at Kabaka Puttur station, issuing a fresh schedule that will commence in the third week of November. The decision, announced by the railway board, extends the previously limited service (train numbers 20645/20646) that ran only between Mangalore Central and Madgaon, now reaching Yashavantpur.
Travelers from Puttur can board the train directly without first travelling to Mangalore Junction. The north‑bound service, train 26655, departs Yashavantpur at 07:35 and arrives at Madgaon at 20:55, calling at Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Sakaleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur, Mangalore Junction, Udupi, Kundapura, Bynur, Mudeshwar, Gokarna Road, Karwar and finally Madgaon. The south‑bound return, train 26656, leaves Madgaon at 08:20 and reaches Yashavantpur at 21:15, stopping at the same stations in reverse order.
Detailed timings include Kabaka Puttur’s arrival at 13:25 on the north‑bound run and departure at 14:43 on the return. Full stop list comprises Yashavantpur, Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Sakaleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur, Mangalore Junction, Udupi, Kundapura, Bynur, Mudeshwar, Gokarna Road, Karwar and Madgaon.
Udupi‑Chikkamagaluru MP Shri Srinivas Poojari conveyed that Railway Minister Ashwin Vaishnav assured the launch within the specified November window. The minister is also expected to travel to Mangalore for the inauguration ceremony. Sources say that on Wednesday in New Delhi, several MPs met the minister to discuss the expanded service.
This extension promises a smoother, faster link between coastal Karnataka and the capital, fulfilling a long‑standing demand of Puttur residents.
Image: varthabharati.in
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK