Bengaluru-Mumbai gets first new express train in 30 years, Vande Bharat sleeper next?

Bengaluru: Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday virtually inaugurated a new express train service between Bengaluru and Mumbai in a major push to improve rail connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra.

According to reports, this is the first new train service introduced between the two metropolitan cities in the last 30 years.

The virtual flagging-off ceremony was attended by Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna and Bengaluru South Member of Parliament Tejasvi Surya, who marked the commencement of the new rail link.

Railway Minister hints at Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper service

Following the launch, Tejasvi Surya shared a post on X celebrating the introduction of the new service.

During the event, Ashwini Vaishnaw said several long-pending railway transit demands from both South and North Karnataka were now being addressed. He also confirmed that the proposed Vande Bharat Express Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai is expected to begin operations soon.

The Railway Minister said railway infrastructure development in Karnataka has accelerated significantly in recent years due to increased budgetary allocations, helping fast-track several pending projects across the state.

Karnataka railway expansion gathers pace

According to the Minister, nearly 1,750 kilometres of new railway lines have been constructed in Karnataka since 2014.

He also said electrification work on the important Hassan-Mangaluru rail section has now been completed, with testing activities currently in progress.

On the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP), Vaishnaw stated that development work is advancing steadily across all four planned corridors.

Major station redevelopment projects underway

Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, railway infrastructure upgrades worth Rs 2,160 crore are being carried out across 61 stations in Karnataka.

Vaishnaw said nine terminals have already been completed as part of the programme.

He added that modernisation work is currently focused on major railway hubs in Bengaluru, including the redevelopment of Bengaluru Cantonment railway station at a cost of Rs 485 crore and the upgrade of Yeshwantpur railway station worth Rs 367 crore.

Progress reported on Bengaluru suburban rail corridors

Officials also provided updates on the city’s suburban railway corridors.

The Baiyappanahalli-Chikkabanavara and Heelalige-Rajanukunte corridors have completed 100 per cent land acquisition, while station construction work has already begun.

The alignment for the KSR Bengaluru-Devanahalli corridor has been approved and geotechnical surveys have been completed.

Meanwhile, approval has also been granted for the Kengeri-Whitefield corridor, where survey work is expected to begin shortly.

Suburban rail network to connect key Bengaluru hubs

Once completed, the Bengaluru suburban railway network is expected to improve connectivity between several major commercial and transport hubs across the city.

The planned network will link important locations including Kempegowda International Airport, Electronic City, Marathahalli and Hebbal.