PM Modi to Launch Orange Vande Bharat Bengaluru-Goa
PM Modi will flag off the new orange Vande Bharat Express between Bengaluru and Goa on Nov 13, 2026, traversing the scenic Western Ghats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the highly anticipated Orange Vande Bharat Express on November 13, 2026. This new service will connect Yesvantpur in Bengaluru to Madgaon in Goa, offering a scenic and rapid transit option through one of India's most beautiful landscapes.
The 'Orange Snake' of the Western Ghats
The train has already become a viral sensation on social media due to its striking orange livery. As the train winds through the dense forests and maneuvers through 57 tunnels in the Western Ghats, travelers and enthusiasts have affectionately dubbed it the 'orange snake'. The Railway Board officially gave the green light to this service on October 30, 2026. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is expected to be part of the inauguration ceremony, joining from Mangaluru Junction.
Train Schedule and Route Details
Operating six days a week, the service covers a distance of approximately 670 kilometers. The train will make 12 designated stops, including key locations such as:
- Hassan
- Sakleshpur
- Mangaluru Junction
- Udupi
- Karwar
The specific timings for the service are as follows:
- Yesvantpur to Madgaon (Train No. 26655): Departs at 07:35 AM and arrives at 08:55 PM. This service does not run on Wednesdays.
- Madgaon to Yesvantpur (Train No. 26656): Departs at 08:20 AM and arrives at 09:15 PM. This service does not run on Thursdays.
Special Fare Structure and Commercial Launch
Due to the challenging topography of the region, the railway has implemented a specific fare structure to manage the high costs of maintenance and construction. This includes:
- A 40% distance inflation on the Konkan Railway network.
- A 100% inflation for the 55-km Ghat section.
Regular commercial operations are scheduled to commence on November 15, 2026. Notably, the launch of this new service coincides with the official discontinuation of the existing Mangaluru Central–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express.