Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar has urged Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to introduce a Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Bengaluru and Mumbai via Davanagere and Hubballi, saying the service would significantly improve overnight rail connectivity for North Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Speaking to PTI, Shettar said the proposed route would benefit passengers from cities such as Hubballi and Belagavi while providing a faster and more comfortable overnight travel option between Bengaluru and Mumbai.
The demand assumes significance as the Railway Ministry had earlier indicated plans for a Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper on a different route.
As reported on April 27, 2026, Union Minister Ashwini Viashnav and Pralhad Joshi had announced that, along with the approval of two new Bengaluru–Mumbai train services, the Vande Bharat Sleeper train will be via Kalaburagi, with an expected journey time of around 16 hours.
Shettar’s latest appeal proposes a different alignment through Hubballi-Belagavi, bringing the premium overnight service to the South Western Railway corridor.
At present, no official approval has been announced for a Vande Bharat Sleeper via Hubballi. The Railway Ministry had mentioned in April that the proposed Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper will operate via Kalaburagi, as indicated earlier.
With demand growing for faster rail connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra, the final routing of the Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper will be closely watched by passengers across North Karnataka.