Kalaburagi-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express completes two years, records 103.52% occupancy in 2026

The Kalaburagi-SMVT Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express train completed two years of service on March 12, carrying more than 5.72 lakh passengers since its launch and emerging as a popular high-speed rail link between the Kalyana Karnataka region and the State capital.

According to the Solapur division of Central Railway, the train service was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conferencing on March 12, 2024. The service was introduced to enhance fast and modern rail connectivity between Kalaburagi and Bengaluru.

Over the past two years, the Vande Bharat Express has significantly improved travel convenience for passengers from the Kalyana Karnataka region by reducing journey time and providing modern onboard facilities. The train has benefited business travellers, government officials, students and professionals while also strengthening economic, educational and healthcare access to Bengaluru.

The service has also improved connectivity for important towns, such as Yadgir and Raichur, and has facilitated easier travel for pilgrims visiting Mantralayam and Puttaparthi via Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam.

Operating as Train Nos. 22231/22232, the service covers a distance of 561 km in about eight hours, compared with 10 to 12 hours by existing superfast trains. The train currently operates six days a week with scheduled stops at Yadgir, Raichur, Manthralayam Road, Guntakal, Anantapur, Sai P. Nilayam and Yelahanka.

The eight-coach Vande Bharat train set has a total seating capacity of 452 passengers — 400 Chair Car seats and 52 Executive Chair Car seats. Since its launch, the service has carried a total of 5,72,566 passengers up to February 2026. The train has recorded an impressive occupancy rate of 103.52% in 2026, reflecting its growing popularity among travellers.