North Karnataka could get improved rail connectivity with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announcing plans for a second Vande Bharat Sleeper train connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai via Hubballi. Speaking at the launch of the country’s third Vande Bharat Sleeper service on the Bengaluru-Mumbai route, Vaishnaw said the new train would run via Hubballi and connect Bengaluru with Pune and Mumbai.
The proposed service is expected to pass through Hubballi, offering an additional long-distance rail connectivity option for passengers travelling between Karnataka and Maharashtra. The announcement was made by the Railway Minister during his visit to Bengaluru on November 1, 2026.
The proposal is significant for North Karnataka, particularly for passengers from Hubballi and Belagavi, who depend on rail services for travel to Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai. However, whether Belagavi will be included as a scheduled stop on the proposed service remains to be clarified.
The Railway Ministry is yet to announce the detailed route, station stops, train timings or commencement date. Until these details are officially released, the inclusion of Belagavi in the service cannot be confirmed.