Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express Soon? Here's What Railway Minister Said

Last Updated:February 08, 2026, 16:15 IST

Karnataka hosts 22 Vande Bharat services, with a new Bengaluru–Mangaluru route set to launch soon.

Vande Bharat’s presence in Karnataka

Currently, Karnataka is served by 22 Vande Bharat services (11 pairs), operating on both originating and terminating routes, which connect multiple cities across the state. Of these, 14 services either originate from or terminate in the Bengaluru region, highlighting the city’s role as a major rail hub.

New route: Bengaluru–Mangaluru

The proposed new service will run on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru route and is expected to significantly cut travel time between the state capital and the coastal city.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Saturday, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the service would be launched once key preparatory work is completed.

“A new Vande Bharat service connecting Bengaluru and Mangaluru will be launched soon after the completion of electrification and safety certifications," Vaishnaw said.

The minister added that Karnataka is witnessing major upgrades in railway infrastructure, noting that a record ₹7,748 crore has been allocated for the state’s rail sector.

Key features of the Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat

The upcoming Vande Bharat Express is expected to be equipped with several advanced safety and comfort features, including:

• KAVACH automatic train protection system
• Jerk-free semi-permanent couplers
• Centrally controlled automatic plug doors and fully sealed, wider gangways
• Emergency alarm push buttons and talk-back units in all coaches
• Enhanced fire safety with aerosol-based fire detection and suppression systems in electrical cabinets and lavatories
• Higher acceleration with a design/operating speed of 180/160 kmph
• Driver–guard communication with voice recording and crash-hardened memory
• Air-conditioning units with indigenously developed UV-C lamp-based disinfection systems
• Improved ride comfort and CCTV cameras in all coaches
• Special lavatories for Divyangjan passengers in driving coaches at both ends
• Coach Condition Monitoring System (CCMS) with remote monitoring

Once operational, the new Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat is expected to modernise rail travel in Karnataka further and improve connectivity between the state’s interior and its coastal belt.

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