New Delhi/Bengaluru, DailyMail24Online: The Central Government has approved a new superfast train service between Bengaluru and Mumbai, fulfilling a long-pending demand of Karnataka. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi confirmed the development and expressed gratitude to the Centre on behalf of the state.
Currently, the Udyan Express is the only direct superfast service connecting the two cities, operating via the Guntakal–Solapur route for over three decades. Public representatives from Karnataka have been urging the introduction of an additional train through central districts of Karnataka to improve passenger connectivity and trade access to Mumbai.
The newly approved service is proposed to run via Tumakuru, Davanagere, Haveri, Hubballi-Dharwad and Belagavi. Joshi said that he, along with Haveri–Gadag MP Basavaraj Bommai, Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, had been consistently pursuing the matter with the Ministry of Railways.
Joshi met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi and thanked him for approving the proposal. He said Vaishnaw responded positively to Karnataka’s request and directed officials to prepare the timetable along the suggested route. The schedule for the service is expected to be announced shortly.
The minister said the new train would significantly benefit passengers across central and northern Karnataka by offering direct access to the financial capital. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna for supporting the proposal and ensuring its approval.
