Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 28: The much-awaited Bengaluru-Mangaluru-Madgaon Vande Bharat train is likely to be launched before the onset of the monsoon.
The electrification of the railway route, a key requirement for the Vande Bharat service, has been completed and testing has also been carried out. Work to enhance track capacity is also in progress. Hence, trial runs are expected to begin before the month of June.
Earlier on Saturday, union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had stated that the Bengaluru-Mangaluru-Madgaon Vande Bharat train will begin operations soon.
The Vande Bharat train runs faster than other trains. However, on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru railway route, there is a steep 55-km ghat section between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya. For safety reasons, trains can run at a maximum speed of only 30 kmph in this stretch. The possibility of increasing it to even 40 kmph is considered low.
However, there is scope to increase speed in the remaining sections. Supporting this, work to improve track capacity is underway at certain places.
According to an unofficial timetable note prepared based on directions issued by the Railway Board to Southern Railway, South Western Railway and Konkan Railway, the train is proposed to operate between Bengaluru (Yeshwantpur) and Madgaon (Goa).
As per that list, there was no halt at Mangaluru Central or Mangaluru Junction. However, the timetable and station halts for the train have not been finalised yet.
A halt in Mangaluru is expected, and MPs from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi have also assured support in this regard.