Electrification under way for Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat, says Union Minister

Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said that electrification work on the Hassan–Mangaluru section is currently under way, paving the way for the launch of the Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat train service. Once electrification is completed, train services will be introduced on the Karwar–Mangaluru–Bengaluru route, significantly improving rail connectivity to Karnataka’s coastal region.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP office in Bengaluru, Mr. Vaishnaw said, “Karnataka is witnessing major railway modernisation. This includes the redevelopment of 51 Amrit Bharat railway stations at an estimated cost of ₹2,110 crore, alongside the operation of 12 Vande Bharat trains in the State”.

Referring to projects announced in the Union Budget recently, the Minister said that the proposed high-speed rail corridors connecting Bengaluru with Chennai and Hyderabad would enhance connectivity among three of South India’s key economic centres. “Once operational, the travel time between Bengaluru and Chennai is expected to reduce to 73 minutes, while the Bengaluru–Hyderabad journey would take around two hours,” he said.

On the long-pending Bengaluru suburban railway project, Mr. Vaishnaw said that the work on all four phases is progressing. Dedicated suburban tracks will be built alongside existing railway lines, and a new design framework has been finalised to expedite execution of the project.