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The Railway Ministry has proposed a new Vande Bharat Express connecting Yesvantpur (Bengaluru) and Madgaon (Goa) with a 13-hour journey via the Padil bypass, skipping Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction. The coastal semi-high-speed service aims to improve connectivity between Karnataka and Goa while navigating Western Ghats terrain constraints. Two Vande Bharat rakes with Automatic Emergency Braking will be required, along with electrification certification on key sections. Speed upgrades between Chikka Banawara and Hassan could further reduce travel time, boosting tourism, business travel, and regional economic growth.
The Railway Ministry has proposed a new coastal Vande Bharat Express between Yesvantpur (Bengaluru) and Madgaon (Goa), targeting a 13-hour journey via the Padil bypass while skipping Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction. The plan requires two Vande Bharat rakes with Automatic Emergency Braking and electrification certification on the Hassan–Thokur section. If approved, this semi-high-speed corridor could significantly boost tourism, business mobility, and coastal connectivity between Karnataka and Goa.
India’s premium semi-high-speed train network is set for another expansion under Indian Railways, with a proposed Vande Bharat Express linking Karnataka’s capital to Goa’s coastal hub.
The service is planned between:
The proposal follows announcements by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, reinforcing the government’s focus on modern rail infrastructure and faster intercity connectivity.
The proposed train will not halt at:
Instead, it will pass through the region via the Padil bypass, eliminating terminal reversals and saving operational time.
| Segment | Key Infrastructure Insight |
|---|---|
| Yesvantpur – Chikka Banawara | Suburban stretch |
| Chikka Banawara – Hassan | Proposed speed upgrade 110 → 130 kmph |
| Hassan – Sakleshpur | Ghat terrain section |
| Sakleshpur – Subrahmanya Road | Speed restricted zone |
| Subrahmanya Road – Padil | Western Ghats descent |
| Padil – Madgaon | Konkan coastal alignment |
This alignment optimizes movement across one of India’s most challenging railway terrains.
| Station | Time |
|---|---|
| Yesvantpur | 6:05 a.m. |
| Padil | 2:00 p.m. |
| Madgaon | 7:15 p.m. |
| Total Travel Time | 13 hrs 10 mins |
| Station | Time |
|---|---|
| Madgaon | 5:30 a.m. |
| Padil | 11:00 a.m. |
| Yesvantpur | 6:40 p.m. |
| Total Travel Time | 13 hrs 10 mins |
For a semi-high-speed train navigating Western Ghats terrain, this timing remains competitive.
Despite premium status, the average speed would remain under 50 kmph due to:
| Section | Current Speed | Proposed Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Chikka Banawara – Hassan | 110 kmph | 130 kmph |
| Sakleshpur Ghat | 30 kmph | 40 kmph |
If implemented, these upgrades could cut travel time further and improve operational efficiency.
Before commercial rollout, South Western Railway must:
Without OHE certification, the service cannot commence operations.
| Train | Bengaluru–Hassan Time |
|---|---|
| Proposed Vande Bharat | 2 hrs 55 mins |
| KSR Bengaluru–Kannur Express | 2 hrs 45 mins |
| Panchaganga Express | 2 hrs 30 mins |
The data shows limited speed gain in specific stretches due to terrain constraints.
A direct semi-high-speed corridor between Bengaluru and Goa could:
Goa remains one of India’s top travel destinations, and improved rail access could boost passenger volumes significantly.
The Konkan–Western Ghats alignment is one of India’s most scenic and technically demanding railway corridors.
Upgrading this stretch aligns with:
This corridor could become a flagship coastal semi-high-speed route.
The Sakleshpur ghat section remains the primary operational bottleneck.
If successfully implemented, the Yesvantpur–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express could become:
The proposed coastal Vande Bharat Express between Bengaluru and Goa marks a bold infrastructure step by Indian Railways. While terrain challenges persist, bypass routing and speed upgrades could make the 13-hour journey efficient and commercially viable.
If approved, this corridor could redefine travel between Karnataka and Goa — boosting tourism, business mobility, and regional economic integration.
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