In what feels like the nth round of meetings, Belagavi MP Iranna Kadadi once again met with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and MoS Railways V. Somanna, to push for the early commencement of the Belagavi–Bengaluru Vande Bharat train.
Here’s What the Minister Said:
“Permission has already been granted. We are waiting for availability of coaches. The train will start as soon as they are allocated.”
This latest assurance now joins a long list of earlier ones — a saga that’s been playing out for over a year.
A Timeline of Delays and Declarations:
- Nov 21, 2023: A successful trial run of the 8-coach Vande Bharat was conducted between Dharwad and Belagavi, clocking 110 kmph and completing the journey in under 8 hours.
- Early 2024: Initial plans hinted at an extension of the Bengaluru–Dharwad Vande Bharat. Political opposition halted that plan.
- May 6, 2025: Railway Minister Vaishnaw wrote to Minister Pralhad Joshi (not Belagavi MP Shettar) confirming the approval of a new train, to start from Belagavi in the morning and return from Bengaluru in the afternoon.
- July 2025: Media leaks suggested a schedule, but it turned out to be the same one discussed during the 2023 trial.
- July 19, 2025: MP Iranna Kadadi again meets the Railway Minister — who reiterates: train is sanctioned, coaches awaited.
Why So Many Meetings for One Train?
The irony is stark: while Railway officials have unofficially confirmed everything — route, rake, maintenance depot (in Belagavi), and demand — there’s still no date.
Instead, we have:
- Repeated letters.
- Multiple personal visits by MPs.
- Different portals jumping the gun with old or recycled schedules.
- Radio silence from Belagavi’s own elected MP until recently.
Is this a case of over-bureaucratization? Or political one-upmanship riding the rails?
Whatever the reason, Belagavi continues to wait — not just for a premium train, but for a system that doesn’t need reminders every month to do what was approved months ago.
Other Updates from the Meeting:
- The Belagavi–Miraj special will be converted to a regular passenger train within a month.
- Minister Vaishnaw also promised a site visit by railway officials to inspect the sluggish and poor-quality work at Ghataprabha Railway Station.
Until then, Belagavi waits — with its bags packed and patience tested.
In short it can be said as DELAY TACTICS
We get what we deserve
When given an opportunity to elect, we selected someone who made Belgaum LAW WAR IS
it’s like ub kaun khatare me hai? ????
Majority ki minority?
Lingual ki religious?
very sad to know the latest reply from railway minister. This unreasonable & unknown procrastination is causing enormous damage to bjp, pm n railway minister himself. next election which is taken for granted by them will perhaps change that perception.
There is a old popular saying” kulayi is ready, but baby is yet to born”. VB to belgaum is more or less in similar situation. This reasoning could have been very well cited at the time approval itself. Does this mean that even mp and cabinate minister hailing from this reason are fooled or misinformed.? Or is it that very announcement of the approval was a eyewash to divert the people’s attention and anger? Only our elected representative can find out.
Belgaum should get priority for Vande Bharat train as it being a 2nd capital and centers for
MLIRC ITBP CRPF OLDEST AVIATION GROUNDSMAN TRAINING CENTER always vibrant political place.
Now Pune Belgaum V-Bharat is in line too