Mangaluru: The proposed Vande Bharat Express between Bengaluru and Madgaon has triggered disappointment across the coastal belt after the provisional timetable indicated that the train will not halt at either Mangaluru Central railway station or Mangaluru Junction railway station.
As per the tentative schedule, the train operating between Yeshwantpur Junction railway station and Madgaon will pass through Padil without stopping at any major railway station in Mangaluru, a move that has been termed a setback by local residents and railway activists.
Provisional Timings and Route Details
According to the schedule under circulation, the train is proposed to depart Yeshwantpur at 6.05 am and arrive in Madgaon at 7.15 pm. On the return journey, it will leave Madgaon at 5.30 am and reach Yeshwantpur at 6.40 pm.
En route, the train is scheduled to halt at Hassan railway station at 9.10 am, Sakleshpur railway station at 9.55 am, and Subrahmanya Road railway station at 12.30 pm. It will pass Padil at 2 pm and cross Thokur at 2.40 pm before reaching Madgaon at 7.15 pm.
On the return leg, the train will cross Thokur at 10.05 am, pass Padil at 11 am, depart Subrahmanya Road at 12.30 pm, leave Sakleshpur at 2.50 pm, and finally reach Yeshwantpur at 6.40 pm.
However, there are no scheduled halts at Mangaluru Junction, Mangaluru Central, or major coastal stations such as Udupi and Karwar, raising concerns about accessibility for coastal passengers.
Activists Call It a Setback for Coastal Region
Railway users and activists have termed the development disappointing, noting that the demand for a direct Vande Bharat service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru has been long-standing.
G. Hanumant Kamath, President of the West Coast Railway Yatri Development Committee, expressed deep dissatisfaction over the proposed timetable, stating that skipping Mangaluru undermines the purpose of introducing a premium semi-high-speed train for the coastal belt.
“The Vande Bharat train stops at Subrahmanya Road and goes directly to Madgaon without stopping in Mangalore. This does not benefit passengers of the coastal area,” he said.
MP Seeks Intervention
Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta has reportedly intervened and urged railway authorities to address the issue. He stated that a separate Vande Bharat service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru is essential and that the train should mandatorily halt at either Mangaluru Junction or Mangaluru Central.
Residents across coastal districts have reiterated that a direct, high-speed rail link to Bengaluru is crucial for improving economic activity, tourism, education access, and social connectivity in the region.
Earlier Assurances and Current Concerns
Initially, reports were suggesting that two Vande Bharat Express trains would operate between Bengaluru and Mangaluru, with halts at district headquarters. However, the current provisional schedule indicates that the coastal region may not directly benefit if the non-stop pattern remains unchanged.
With public sentiment growing stronger, stakeholders are now awaiting a formal clarification or revision from railway authorities regarding the possible inclusion of Mangaluru stops before the final timetable is notified.
