New Vande Bharat Express to connect Bengaluru and Goa via scenic Western Ghats soon: Check route, stops, timings, timetable and other key details

A new Vande Bharat Express between Bengaluru and Goa is expected to be introduced soon, giving passengers a faster and more comfortable travel option through the Western Ghats. The train will pass through the scenic stretch between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road, offering views of the region's hills and landscapes along the route, reported Indian Express.

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The train will operate on the Yesvantpur-Madgaon route and pass through the scenic stretch between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road. The train has been developed by BEML using technology from Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF).

Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express: Route and stoppages

The Yesvantpur-Madgaon-Yesvantpur Vande Bharat Express will run via Mangaluru Junction, covering 12 stations along the route:

• Shravanabelagola
• Hassan
• Sakleshpur
• Subrahmanya Road
• Kabaka Puttur
• Mangaluru Junction
• Udupi
• Kundapura
• Mookambika Road Byndoor
• Murdeshwar
• Gokarna Road
• Karwar

The train will pass through the Western Ghats, including the scenic stretch between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road.

Bengaluru-Goa Vande Bharat Express: Timings and operating days

The Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express will operate under train numbers 26655 and 26656.

• Train 26655: It will depart from Yesvantpur at 7:35 am and reach Madgaon at 8:55 pm. The service will run six days a week, except Wednesdays.
• Train 26656: On the return journey, it will leave Madgaon at 8:20 am and arrive at Yesvantpur at 9:15 pm. It will operate six days a week, except Thursdays.

How long will the Bengaluru-Goa Vande Bharat journey take?

The journey from Yesvantpur to Madgaon will take approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes, while the return trip to Yesvantpur is scheduled to take around 12 hours and 55 minutes.

Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper

Apart from Vande Bharat connecting Goa and Bengaluru, Mumbai-Bengaluru route will get its first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express from November 2, with the inaugural run scheduled to be flagged off from Bengaluru on November 1.

The new sleeper service is expected to connect Bengaluru and Mumbai in less than 16 hours, significantly reducing the current rail travel time between the two cities.

The train is expected to operate six days a week in both directions, according to the current plan. The final timetable is yet to be confirmed. The Vande Bharat Sleeper will not operate from Bengaluru on Mondays, while the Mumbai-bound service will not run on Tuesdays.

Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper likely departure and arrival timings

• Bengaluru to Mumbai: Departs SMVT Bengaluru at 10 pm and arrives at Mumbai CSMT at 1:50 pm the next day
• Mumbai to Bengaluru: Departs Mumbai at 10:30 pm and arrives in Bengaluru at 2:50 pm the next day

Which stations will the Vande Bharat Sleeper stop at?

The service will not pass through Hubballi.

Possible stops are likely to be:

• Anantapur
• Guntakal
• Raichur
• Kalaburagi
• Solapur
• Kalyan