New Vande Bharat Express Service to Launch via Indian Railways

The Indian Railways has approved a new Vande Bharat Express service between Belagavi and Bengaluru, set to commence by May 8, 2025, offering a faster travel option between the two cities, with the train covering the 610.6 km distance in approximately 8 hours.

The train will operate with eight coaches and will halt at key stations including Londa, Dharwad, Hubballi, and Yeshwantpur. The introduction of this new service comes after a trial run was conducted in November 2023, which demonstrated the feasibility of reducing travel time by nearly two hours compared to the current fastest train on the route.

The decision to introduce a new Vande Bharat Express service was made in response to opposition to extending the existing Bengaluru-Dharwad Vande Bharat train. Instead, the Railway Ministry has approved a new train that will operate on contrasting hours, starting from Belagavi in the morning and from Bengaluru in the afternoon. This move is expected to increase the number of Vande Bharat Express trains in North Karnataka to four pairs.

Additionally, work on a new railway line between Belagavi and Dharwad via Kittur is expected to start soon, with land acquisition nearing completion. The project, which aims to provide a quicker route between Belagavi, Dharwad, and Hubballi-Dharwad, is estimated to be completed by December 2027 and will be undertaken on a cost-sharing basis between the State government and the Union government.

The introduction of the new Vande Bharat Express service and the upcoming railway line project are expected to significantly improve rail connectivity in the region, reducing travel time and congestion on existing routes. With the new train set to commence operations by May 2025, passengers can look forward to a faster and more convenient travel experience between Belagavi and Bengaluru.