Bengaluru Mangaluru Vande Bharat to Start in Nov 2026
The Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express is set to begin operations in late November 2026, offering faster connectivity with 12 intermediate stops.
The much-awaited Bengaluru Mangaluru Vande Bharat is nearing its debut. Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw has confirmed that the service is expected to commence operations by the third week of November 2026, following the successful completion of route electrification and testing.
Extension of Existing Yesvantpur–Madgaon Service
The new service will operate as an extension of the current Yesvantpur–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express, running under train numbers 26655 (Yesvantpur to Madgaon) and 26656 (Madgaon to Yesvantpur). The train is scheduled to operate six days a week with the following schedule:
- Yesvantpur to Madgaon: Operates every day except Wednesdays.
- Madgaon to Yesvantpur: Operates every day except Thursdays.
Route and Key Intermediate Stops
The service will provide enhanced regional connectivity, featuring 12 intermediate stops. Passengers traveling on this route can expect halts at:
- Shravanabelagola
- Hassan
- Sakleshpur
- Subrahmanya Road
- Kabaka Puttur
- Mangaluru Junction
- Udupi
- Kundapura
- Mookambika Road Byndoor
- Murdeshwar
- Gokarna Road
- Karwar
Travel Time and Western Ghats Speed Restrictions
While the journey from Bengaluru to Mangaluru is expected to be completed in less than eight hours, certain sections will require careful navigation. Officials have noted that a 30 kmph speed restriction will be enforced on the 55-km stretch traversing the Western Ghats between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road.
The South Western Railway (SWR) has managed the operational testing for the route, while the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) conducted the necessary safety and operational trials specifically for the challenging ghat section. This announcement was made during the inauguration of the Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper service on November 1, 2026.