A new Vande Bharat Express service is set to connect Bengaluru and Goa, offering passengers a modern and efficient rail link between the two major destinations. This upcoming train service, which will operate between the Yesvantpur station in Bengaluru and Madgaon in Goa, is designed to enhance connectivity through the picturesque Western Ghats. The route is particularly noted for the scenic stretch between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road, providing travelers with views of the region's hills and landscapes.
Developed by BEML, the train incorporates technology derived from the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF). The service will cover a total of 12 stations along its route. Stops include Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur, Mangaluru Junction, Udupi, Kundapura, Mookambika Road Byndoor, Murdeshwar, Gokarna Road, and Karwar. This extensive list of halts is expected to provide significant connectivity benefits for commuters and tourists traveling through the coastal and interior belts of Karnataka.
Regarding the operational schedule, the service will run under train numbers 26655 and 26656. The train departing from Yesvantpur (26655) is scheduled to leave at 7:35 am and reach Madgaon at 8:55 pm, operating six days a week, with no service on Wednesdays. For the return journey, train 26656 will depart from Madgaon at 8:20 am and arrive at Yesvantpur at 9:15 pm, operating six days a week, excluding Thursdays. The travel time for the journey from Yesvantpur to Madgaon is estimated to be approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes, while the return trip will take about 12 hours and 55 minutes.
In addition to this new coastal connection, rail infrastructure in the region is seeing further expansion with the introduction of a Vande Bharat Sleeper service. This new train will connect Bengaluru and Mumbai, with an inaugural run scheduled to be flagged off from Bengaluru on November 1, followed by regular operations beginning November 2. This service is expected to significantly reduce travel time, connecting the two major commercial hubs in less than 16 hours.
The Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper is planned to operate six days a week in both directions. The service will not run from Bengaluru on Mondays, while the Mumbai-bound service will not operate on Tuesdays. Unlike some existing connections, this sleeper train is not expected to pass through Hubballi. Prospective stops for the Mumbai service include Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur, and Kalyan. The departure from SMVT Bengaluru is slated for 10:00 pm, arriving at Mumbai CSMT at 1:50 pm the next day, while the return train from Mumbai will depart at 10:30 pm and reach Bengaluru at 2:50 pm the following day.
These developments reflect the ongoing efforts to modernize rail transport across southern and western India. By introducing Vande Bharat technology to these routes, the network aims to offer improved amenities and faster transit for a growing number of passengers. As final administrative details for the sleeper service are confirmed, these new routes are expected to provide a substantial boost to connectivity for both business and leisure travelers in the coming months.
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