Second Vande Bharat Sleeper train to connect B’luru and Mumbai via Hubballi: Vaishnaw

Bengaluru: Karnataka is set to receive a major boost in railway connectivity, with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announcing a second Vande Bharat sleeper train between Bengaluru and Mumbai via Hubballi. The announcement is expected to benefit passengers in North Karnataka by providing faster overnight connectivity to Mumbai and Pune.

Speaking in Bengaluru on November 1, Vaishnaw said the proposed second sleeper service would operate through Hubballi, connecting important destinations in North Karnataka before reaching Mumbai via Pune. The first Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper train is planned to run through the Kalaburagi route.

The proposed route of the second train is expected to cover Anantapur, Mantralayam, Raichur, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune, Kalyan and Mumbai, besides providing connectivity through the Hubballi region. However, the Railway Ministry is yet to announce the final route, stoppages, timetable and commencement date.

The minister also announced that a Vande Bharat chair car service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru would be introduced within a few weeks. Preparations for the service have reportedly been completed, including electrification and testing of the railway tracks. The Railway Board has also approved a Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat chair car service through Mangaluru. The train is expected to connect several destinations in Karnataka’s coastal belt and provide faster connectivity to Goa.

The proposed stoppages include Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur, Mangaluru Junction, Udupi, Kundapura, Mookambika Road Byndoor, Murdeshwar, Gokarna Road and Karwar. The services are expected to improve rail connectivity for passengers from Bengaluru, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.

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