Indian Railways is set to introduce a new Vande Bharat Express connecting Bengaluru and Mangaluru, further expanding semi-high-speed rail services in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Indian Railways (IR) is planning to launch another Vande Bharat Express for Karnataka, strengthening regional connectivity in the state. The upcoming semi-high-speed train will operate under the South Western Railway (SWR) zone and is expected to boost travel efficiency and economic activity.
Bengaluru–Mangaluru route announced
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Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that a new Vande Bharat service connecting Bengaluru and Mangaluru will be introduced soon.
“A new Vande Bharat service connecting Bengaluru and Mangaluru will be launched soon after the completion of electrification and safety certifications,” he said while addressing a press conference in Bengaluru.
The new train is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities once operational.
Railway investment in Karnataka
The Union Minister also highlighted ongoing upgrades in Karnataka’s railway infrastructure. He stated that a record allocation of ₹7,748 crore has been made for the state’s railway sector, signalling a strong push towards modernisation and expansion.
Existing Vande Bharat services in Karnataka
Currently, Karnataka is served by 22 Vande Bharat services (11 pairs) on an originating and terminating basis. Of these, 14 services either originate from or terminate in the Bengaluru region, reflecting the city’s importance as a major railway hub.
Some of the key routes include:
- KSR Bengaluru – Dharwad
- Kacheguda – Yesvantpur
- Bengaluru Cantt. – Coimbatore
- Kalaburagi – SMVT Bengaluru
- Mysuru – MGR Chennai Central
- Hubballi – Pune
- Madgaon – Mangaluru Central
Key features of the new Vande Bharat train
The Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express will include advanced safety and passenger comfort features such as:
- KAVACH safety system
- Jerk-free semi-permanent couplers
- Centrally controlled automatic plug doors
- Emergency alarm push buttons and talk-back units
- Aerosol-based fire detection and suppression system
- Higher acceleration with design speed of 180 kmph and operating speed of 160 kmph
- Driver-guard communication with voice recording and crash-hardened memory
- Air-conditioning units with UV-C lamp-based disinfection
- CCTV cameras in all coaches
- Special lavatory facilities for Divyangjan passengers
- Coach condition monitoring system with remote display
The addition of this new service is expected to further enhance Karnataka’s rail network, offering faster, safer and more comfortable travel between Bengaluru and the coastal city of Mangaluru.
Published: 08 Feb 2026, 02:47 pm IST
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