Indian Railways has confirmed the launch of a new Vande Bharat Express service between Belagavi and Bengaluru. Unlike earlier reports suggesting an extension of the Bengaluru-Dharwad Vande Bharat, this will be an entirely new service, with a dedicated rake assigned to the South Western Railway (SWR) zone.
The new Vande Bharat Express will depart from Belagavi in the morning, reaching KSR Bengaluru by afternoon. The return journey will commence from Bengaluru in the afternoon, with arrival in Belagavi by late evening. Initially, the train will have eight coaches, and additional coaches may be added based on passenger demand. The primary maintenance will be carried out in Belagavi.
This announcement follows a successful trial run conducted on November 21, 2023, where the 610.6 km route was covered in approximately 7 hours and 55 minutes—almost two hours faster than the current fastest train on the same route. Earlier plans to extend the Dharwad Vande Bharat faced opposition from local political leaders, leading to the decision to introduce this dedicated service.
Key stops on the new Belagavi–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will include Londa, Dharwad, Hubballi, Haveri, Davangere, Tumakuru, and Yeshwantpur.
In a letter to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on May 6, 2025, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the approval of the new service, stating:
“You would be pleased to know that the new Belagavi–Bengaluru Vande Bharat train has been approved. The service will leave Belagavi in the morning for Bengaluru and will start from Bengaluru in the afternoon for Belagavi.”
The exact commencement date and schedule are yet to be officially announced. Passengers and stakeholders are encouraged to watch for formal notifications from railway authorities for further updates.
