Travelers hoping for a faster rail connection between Bengaluru and Goa may soon see a new service on the tracks. The Railway Board is currently reviewing a detailed proposal from the South Western Railway to launch a Vande Bharat Express between Yesvantpur and Madgaon. As of February 2026, the project is in the planning phase and awaiting final clearance. If approved, this train will cut travel time significantly, covering the journey in approximately 13 hours and 10 minutes, operating six days a week.
What are the proposed timings and schedule?
The South Western Railway has submitted a tentative timetable for the service. The train is expected to depart from Yesvantpur (YPR) in Bengaluru instead of the main city station due to maintenance constraints. However, officials are currently discussing a slight change to the morning departure time to make it more convenient for passengers.
- Yesvantpur to Madgaon: Proposed departure is 06:05 AM, reaching Goa at 07:15 PM.
- Madgaon to Yesvantpur: Proposed departure is 05:30 AM, reaching Bengaluru at 06:40 PM.
- Review Update: The Railway Board has suggested moving the Bengaluru departure to after 06:30 AM to help passengers reach the station easily.
Which route will the train take?
To ensure the journey remains within the 13-hour limit, the train will not enter Mangaluru Central or Mangaluru Junction. Instead, it will use the Padil Bypass to save time. This route adjustment is critical for maintaining the proposed speed and schedule.
The key stoppages identified for this route include Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, and Padil. The train will have to navigate the tough terrain of the Western Ghats between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road. In this specific ghat section, the speed will be restricted to 30–40 kmph due to safety rules, while it may run at 130 kmph on flatter sections like Chikka Banawara to Hassan.
Ticket prices and technical requirements
While the official fare list will only be released after the successful trial runs, industry experts have estimated the costs based on similar distances of around 700 km. Passengers can expect the Chair Car (CC) tickets to be priced between ₹1,500 and ₹1,800. For the premium Executive Class (EC), the fare is likely to range between ₹2,800 and ₹3,300.
Operational success depends on technical upgrades. The trainsets must be equipped with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems to handle the steep slopes of the Ghats safely. Officials have also noted that two separate Vande Bharat rakes will be required to run the service daily in both directions.