NewzVille Desk
The Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagged off an express train between Bengaluru – Mumbai today, marking a major step in strengthening connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Vaishnaw stated that long-pending demands of South & North Karnataka are now being fulfilled. Further, he announced that the Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai is expected to start soon.
Highlighting infrastructure growth, he noted a significant increase in railway funding in recent years, accelerating project execution across Karnataka.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 61 stations are being redeveloped at a cost of ₹2,160 crore, with 9 already completed. Bengaluru Cantonment station is being redeveloped at ₹485 crore and Yeshwantpur at ₹367 crore.
The Railway Minister further stated that Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains. Testing on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru route is underway and will soon improve coastal connectivity up to Madgaon.
Bullet train corridors connecting Bengaluru with Hyderabad and Chennai have also been approved, Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted.
He further noted that, with a long-term vision to connect Mumbai, Bengaluru, and other major cities, the network is expected to expand to 7,000 km.
The Union Minister of State for Railways, V. Somanna while addressing the gathering during the flagging off of Train No. 16553/54 SMVT Bengaluru – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express, expressed his gratitude to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw for sanctioning the new Bengaluru–Mumbai train, stating that it will greatly benefit passengers on one of the busiest routes and further boost Karnataka’s development.
P. C. Mohan, Member of Parliament from Bengaluru Central; Lehar Singh Siroya, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; and Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament from Bengaluru South, also joined the event through video conference, along with senior Railway officials.
