Vande Bharat Express To Expand Services, Connecting Bengaluru To Belagavi
Bengaluru
In a significant development, the Vande Bharat Express, currently linking Bengaluru to Hubballi and Dharwad, is set to extend its route till Belagavi. The approval for this extension, initiated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and eagerly awaited, has received the green signal from the Railway Board. Sources hint at a probable implementation by the end of November, heralding improved connectivity across Karnataka. The decision to extend the high-speed train follows an appeal by the Chief Minister to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in October, responding to the persistent demand from Belagavi district's populace. The impending extension is poised to bridge the geographical gap, fulfilling the aspirations of the city's residents for enhanced rail connectivity. In light of this extension, the train's schedule is under revision and is anticipated to be unveiled shortly. Early insights from railway authorities indicate prospective timings for the route, projecting a departure from KSR Railway Station at 5:45 am, culminating in Belagavi by 1:30 pm. The return journey from Belagavi is slated for 2 pm, reaching KSR Bengaluru by 10:10 pm, aiming to accommodate commuter convenience. Anticipated to cover a distance exceeding 600 km in a commendable duration of 7 hours and 45 minutes, this expansion promises a substantial reduction in travel time between these key cities. Notably, the Bengaluru-Dharwad leg is estimated to take a mere 5 hours and 35 minutes, with a scheduled stop at Londa. The infrastructure upgrades, including the doubling and electrification of the Dharwad-Belagavi stretch, are nearing completion, with a minimal 8.1 km segment pending along the Vijayanagar-Miraj section, slated for imminent finalization. The imminent trial run on this extended stretch is projected to commence in the forthcoming week, setting the stage for operational readiness. While fare details remain pending, the commercial launch is anticipated to roll out by the end of November, heralding a new era of expedited and efficient travel for commuters traversing these crucial city links.