According to South Western Railway officials, high-speed trial operations will be carried out by a team from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). The testing will include load trials and technical assessments over a period of about one week, after which final clearance is expected for commercial operations.

The proposed service is expected to slash the current 8–10 hour road journey via the Shiradi Ghat route to nearly five hours by rail, significantly improving connectivity between Bengaluru and the coast.

The development follows union minister of state for railways V Somanna’s statement during his visit to Mangaluru on May 23, where he said, “We will operate Vande Bharat in June.” Mysuru Division DRM Mudit Mittal has also confirmed that preparatory works and technical checks are in their final stage.

The Sakleshpura–Subrahmanya Road Ghat section remains the most complex stretch on the route. The 55-km corridor features 57 tunnels, 258 bridges and 108 sharp curves, with a steep gradient of 1:50, making it one of the most challenging railway alignments in India.

Railway authorities have already completed electrification works in this section at a cost of around Rs 93.55 crore. Officials said a trial run of an empty electric rake has already been successfully conducted on the route.

The wider Mysuru–Hassan–Mangaluru electrification project, spanning nearly 400 km, has cost an estimated Rs 729.28 crore, up from the original estimate of Rs 461 crore. The route has been fitted with modern overhead electrification systems capable of supporting speeds of up to 120 kmph.

Once operational, the Vande Bharat Express is expected to transform travel between Bengaluru and coastal Karnataka, reducing dependence on long-distance road travel through the Shiradi Ghat and boosting tourism in regions such as Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru.

Officials also indicated that an extension up to Goa’s Madgaon is under consideration, subject to operational feasibility.

If the trials are successful, the service will mark a major milestone in Karnataka’s rail infrastructure, offering a faster, greener and more efficient link between the state capital and the coast.