The Vande Bharat Express, a semi-high-speed train operated by Indian Railways, is experiencing significant demand, including in Karnataka where trains in white and saffron colors are already in service on various routes. Tumkur MP and Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna has been approached regarding the introduction of this train on new routes.
Currently, no Vande Bharat train has been announced for the new routes in Karnataka. There is a notable demand to extend the KSR Bangalore-Dharwad via Hubli train to Belgaum, a proposal the railway department has agreed to, though the service has not yet commenced.
Recently, the Railway Department approved a halt at Tumkur city for the KSR Bangalore-Dharwad via Hubli train, and this service has now been initiated. In light of this, a letter has been addressed to the Minister of State for Railways requesting the introduction of a Vande Bharat train between Bangalore and Ballary Junction.
Details of B. Sriramulu’s Letter: Former Minister and BJP leader B. Sriramulu has sent a letter to the Union Minister of State for Hydropower and Railways, V. Somanna, proposing the operation of a Vande Bharat train via Ballari Junction railway station.
The letter highlights that Ballari city and district have a substantial number of passengers traveling between Ballari and Bangalore for education, business, employment, industrial activities, and tourism. There is a strong desire among these passengers for the Vande Bharat Express to serve this route.
While there is ongoing demand for Vande Bharat trains on various routes in Karnataka, such as Shimoga-Bangalore and Bangalore-Bellari, the railway department has not yet received authorization to operate these services.
In a 2023 meeting, South Western Railway suggested providing the necessary infrastructure to facilitate Vande Bharat trains on ten new routes in Karnataka, including the Bangalore-Bellari line.
