Big Rail boost: Bengaluru–Mumbai Express launched, Vande Bharat sleeper coming soon

Vaishnaw stated that long-pending demands from both South and North Karnataka are now being fulfilled through sustained infrastructure development.

He also announced that the Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai is expected to commence soon.

Highlighting rapid infrastructure growth, the Minister noted a substantial increase in railway funding in recent years, which has accelerated project execution across Karnataka.

Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 61 stations are being redeveloped at a cost of ₹2,160 crore, of which nine have already been completed. Bengaluru Cantonment station is being redeveloped at ₹485 crore, while Yeshwantpur station is undergoing redevelopment at ₹367 crore.

Since 2014, approximately 1,750 km of new railway lines have been constructed in Karnataka. Additionally, complex electrification work in the Hassan–Mangaluru section has been completed, and testing is currently underway.

On the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, Vaishnaw said work is progressing across all four corridors. For the Baiyappanahalli–Chikkabanavara and Heelalige–Rajanukunte corridors, land acquisition has been completed and station development is in progress.

The KSR Bengaluru–Devanahalli alignment has been jointly approved by the State Government and Indian Railways, and geotechnical surveys have been completed.

The Kengeri–Whitefield alignment was recently approved, with survey work set to begin shortly. He added that the suburban rail network will integrate key hubs such as the airport, Electronic City, Marathahalli, and Hebbal.

The Railway Minister further stated that Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains. Testing on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru route is underway and is expected to soon enhance coastal connectivity up to Madgaon.

He also highlighted that bullet train corridors connecting Bengaluru with Hyderabad and Chennai have been approved. In the long-term vision, a high-speed rail network linking Mumbai, Bengaluru, and other major cities is planned, potentially expanding up to 7,000 km.

Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna, addressing the gathering during the flagging off of Train No. 16553/54 SMVT Bengaluru–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express, expressed gratitude to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw for sanctioning the new Bengaluru–Mumbai service. He said it will greatly benefit passengers on one of the busiest routes and further support Karnataka’s development.

He further noted that Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains covering 14 districts. A Vande Bharat Sleeper maintenance depot will be established at Thanisandra at a cost of ₹270 crore, along with a chair car maintenance facility at SMVT Bengaluru costing ₹52.73 crore.

He also highlighted ongoing capacity enhancement works, including doubling of the Baiyappanahalli–Hosur section (₹1,116 crore), Bettahalasuru–Rajanukunte section (₹248 crore), and quadrupling works around Bengaluru (₹1,347 crore).