The Indian Railways has approved a new Vande Bharat Express service between Bengaluru and Belagavi. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting an extension of the existing Bengaluru–Dharwad Vande Bharat, this will be an entirely new service with a dedicated rake allocated to the South Western Railway (SWR) zone.
According to a senior railway official cited by Deccan Herald, the new train will commence operations from Belagavi in the morning, reaching KSR Bengaluru in the afternoon. The return journey will begin in the afternoon, concluding in Belagavi by late evening. Initially, the train will consist of eight coaches, with the possibility of adding more based on passenger demand. The primary maintenance of the train will be carried out in Belagavi.
This decision comes after the railways conducted a trial run on November 21, 2023, covering the 610.6 km distance in approximately 7 hours and 55 minutes, which is nearly two hours faster than the current fastest train on the route. However, plans to extend the Dharwad train faced opposition from various quarters, including political leaders from the twin cities, leading to the decision to introduce a separate service.
The train is expected to halt at key stations including Londa, Dharwad, Hubballi, Haveri, Davangere, Tumakuru, and Yeshwantpur.
In a letter dated May 6, 2025, addressed to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the approval of the new service, stating:
“You would be pleased to know that the new Belagavi–Bengaluru Vande Bharat train has been approved. The service will leave Belagavi in the morning for Bengaluru. In return, it will start from Bengaluru in the afternoon for Belagavi.”
While this confirmation is a positive step forward, the exact commencement date and detailed schedule are yet to be officially announced. Passengers and stakeholders are advised to await formal notifications from the railway authorities for further details.
This is good news. That Dharwad Bangalore vande Bharat has odd timings. People travel towards metro city in the morning and return to their city in evening. And not vice versa.
What about sleeper
What about belgaum to mumbai vande bharat
As there was an opposition from Dharwad Hubli people for the extension, the new service should not have stops in Dharwad and Hubli. Why should they get 2 Vande Bharats?
Why don’t you demand new railway line between Belagavi and Haveri bypassing Hubballi? Also you’ll suffer from shortage of passengers which may lead to discontinuity of services remember
Ekdm sahi jawab dia
Yes
Two other towns can be added .
Right. Sick mind.
Absolutely… @ the most Hubli can be considered and not Dharwad… Dharwad passenger can deboard at Hubli and proceed… Else its waste of time stoppage can be considered @ Yeshwantpur- Tumkur-Davangere-Hubli-Belagavi
It will be convenient to commuters in those areas. More over Rly will be benefitted. Other wise for want of passengers it may face cancellation
Why dont demand, flying Vande bharath , ? Just joking,
Fact is no opposing for expansion to Belgaum ,but we demanded in meeting 20 coach vande bharath if extended to Belgaum but technical team not sure for top speed because curve rail route after alnavar and at
chikkajajoor in south side. You can confirm it officially.
Very nice step. Thanks lot for providing separate facility for the route.
Excellent looking forward to this When will it commence!
Atlast, the eyes and ears of the decision making body could look at it and also hear the cry of the commuters. Now, only the date is to be set for the inauguration by the senior rly minister to flag off the train. If the minister comes over here i think the MPs , MLAs, the state Rly minister and others will be able to convince him about the need of various development and new routes, new trains which are urgently in need off from Belgaum. Amongst them are New Delhi, Mumbai, hyderabad, mangalore, sholapur, mantralayam, pandarpur , and shegoan. All these are tourist destinations . I hope the need of belgaumites will be fulfilled by all our representatives in bringing it before the Sr rly minister surely. One more is the pressing demand to introduce VB train from belgaum to kolhapur on daily basis so that people visit to the mahalaxmi temple peacefully, hygienicly in this premium train, it’s really a pride to travel in it.. tq u one and all and also to get committed and fulfill the needs and demands .
So new Vande Bharat for Belagavi would it not stop at Dharwad and Hubli since the twin cities has already a vande bharat.
So that Belagavi will get it’s seats for Belagavi passengers.
Put Belgaum in different railway division
As Belagavi to Bangalore & return will be flagged off soon; it should not have stopped at Dharwad & Hubli. To reduce running up & down time.
DWR – BANGALORE – DWR has already been running.
The Dharwad to Bangalore and back Vande Bharat is merely an addition to the list, but it doesn’t meet the needs of people who wish to reach Bangalore during the daytime instead of arriving at 7 PM. The authorities should revise the timing so that passengers can reach Bangalore by 11 AM.
Add stop at Arsikere
Looks like Railways might just rotate a single Vande Bharat — 3 days from Belagavi to Bengaluru, and rest of the days from Dharwad to Bengaluru. If that’s the case, Dharwad gets access the whole week (since the train passes via Dharwad anyway), while Belagavi gets just 3 days. Completely unfair if true.
Why it’s taking so many days for finalizing a date to start the VB train from belgaum to blore. It’s littereally bizarre. How about the under bridge and overbridge work in belgaum only statements are passed what’s the hurdle really is not known make it public so far no tenders r passed as per the statements made work was supposed to start by this time. The third gate other portion of the work is yet to begin. People don’t really understand the genuine problem. At this pace the things are to move what about the cost escalation. The work should start urgently , no issues are their pl expedite the works.