Travelling between Bengaluru and Goa may soon become faster and more comfortable, as Indian Railways is preparing to introduce a new Vande Bharat Express connecting the two popular destinations. According to sources, the semi-high-speed train is expected to complete the journey in approximately 13 hours, significantly improving connectivity between Karnataka and Goa.
The proposal has been submitted by the South Western Railway (SWR) to the Railway Board, and the service will be officially announced once final approval is granted. Officials confirmed that discussions are currently underway, and the schedule will be declared after all operational details are finalised.
As per the tentative plan, the Vande Bharat Express will operate between Yesvantpur Junction railway station and Madgaon railway station. The proposed timetable suggests departure from Yesvantpur at 6:05 am, reaching Madgaon at 7:15 pm. On the return journey, the train is expected to leave Madgaon at 5:30 am and arrive in Bengaluru by 6:40 pm.
The train will pass through the Mangaluru railway region and is likely to use the Padil Bypass, skipping Mangaluru Junction and Mangaluru Central stations to reduce travel time. Infrastructure upgrades have also been proposed to improve speed efficiency along the route. These include increasing permissible speeds from 110 kmph to 130 kmph between Chikka Banawara and Hassan, and raising speeds on the challenging Sakleshpur–Subramanya Road ghat section from 30 kmph to 40 kmph.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier indicated plans for the service during a meeting, after which the Railway Ministry requested a detailed operational proposal from SWR. Officials said the launch will depend on the availability of two Vande Bharat trainsets (rakes), which are necessary to maintain daily operations on the route.
Before the final rollout, trial runs will be conducted using Vande Bharat rakes equipped with an Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system. Railway authorities also noted that the overhead electrical equipment on the recently electrified Hassan–Thokur section must be fully certified and energised before trials begin.
Once operational, the Bengaluru–Goa Vande Bharat is expected to boost tourism, business travel, and weekend connectivity between the tech capital and one of India’s most visited coastal destinations, offering passengers a faster and more modern rail travel experience.
