After months of relentless follow-ups, formal letters, and political meetings, Belagavi’s long-pending demand for a Vande Bharat Express to Bengaluru might finally be fulfilled. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the new Vande Bharat Express on Sunday, August 10, in Bengaluru — the same day he is scheduled to launch the city’s Yellow Line Metro.
The train will commence its maiden journey from Belagavi on the morning of August 10, reach Bengaluru by afternoon, and return the same evening. While a formal confirmation from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is awaited, it is expected to arrive by Tuesday.
The Timeline of a Delayed Dream
The demand for a high-speed Vande Bharat service connecting Belagavi and Bengaluru has been echoing for over 15 months. The first official communication on this matter came from the now MP Jagadish Shettar, who wrote to the Prime Minister in June 2024, followed by further letters and a second detailed request in July 2024.
Meanwhile, MP Iranna Kadadi has also made multiple personal appeals to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, and MoS Railways V. Somanna. In the most recent meeting held earlier this week, the Railway Minister assured that permission had already been granted, and the launch was pending the arrival of new train rakes.
Why So Many Requests?
What started as a routine demand for better connectivity gradually turned into a bureaucratic marathon. Observers and citizens have questioned why numerous letters, personal meetings, and political push were required for what is seen as a straightforward infrastructure demand. Many sarcastically pointed out that the number of requests made for this one route could itself form a separate railway archive.
Looking Ahead
If the PMO gives the green light, August 10 will mark a turning point in Belagavi’s rail history. However, until the final confirmation, local enthusiasm is cautiously optimistic. For now, all eyes remain on Delhi — not just for a flag-off, but for long-overdue acknowledgment of Belagavi’s growing strategic importance.