Bengaluru–Mumbai get closer: Indian Railways approves new superfast service via Hubballi-Dharwad
Mumbai: Indian Railways has finally approved a second direct Superfast train connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai, almost three decades after the introduction of the iconic Udyan Express.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced the development on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “long-standing demand” finally fulfilled.
ನಮ್ಮ ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿ-ಧಾರವಾಡ ಮೂಲಕ ಸಂಚರಿಸುವ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು- ಮುಂಬೈ ಸೂಪರ್ ಫಾಸ್ಟ್ ರೈಲಿಗೆ ಅನುಮೋದನೆ ಪತ್ರವನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ರೈಲ್ವೆ ಸಚಿವರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಅಶ್ವಿನಿ ವೈಷ್ಣವ್ @AshwiniVaishnaw ಅವರಿಗೆ ಅನಂತ ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು.
ನಮ್ಮ ಬಹುದಿನದ ಬೇಡಿಕೆಯಾಗಿದ್ದ ಈ ರೈಲಿಗಾಗಿ ನಾನು ಕೇಂದ್ರ ರೇಲ್ವೆ ಸಚಿವರಿಗೆ ವಿನಂತಿಸಿದ್ದೆ. ಈ ಸೂಪರ್ ಫಾಸ್ಟ್… pic.twitter.com/1RbfUDxAvz— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) October 23, 2025
“I had requested the Union Railway Minister for this train, which has been our long-standing demand,” Joshi said, thanking Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving the new service.
“This Superfast train will run via central Karnataka—Tumakuru, Davanagere, Haveri, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Belagavi—benefiting lakhs of people and boosting trade and commerce.”
The new route marks a significant upgrade for passengers traveling between the two major cities, offering faster, more direct connectivity through Karnataka’s industrial and commercial heartland.
Route And Stops
The new Bengaluru–Mumbai Superfast train will operate via Hubballi–Dharwad, with major stops at:
Tumakuru, Davanagere, Haveri, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Belagavi.
This route differs from the Udyan Express, which currently runs via Guntakal and Solapur, covering 1,153 km in about 23 hours and 35 minutes with 31 stops along the way.
The second Superfast connection is expected to save time, ease congestion, and strengthen trade ties between Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Railway officials are likely to announce the schedule, timings, and fare details soon.