Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat: PM Modi Flags Off New Service
PM Modi inaugurates the Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express, providing a direct link between Bengaluru and Goa via coastal Karnataka.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially inaugurated the highly anticipated Yesvantpur–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express, marking a major milestone in regional connectivity. Alongside Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and other prominent dignitaries, the Prime Minister flagged off the service on November 13, 2026. This new train will provide a direct rail link between Bengaluru and Madgaon in Goa, traveling through the scenic coastal stretches of Karnataka.
Faster Travel Between Bengaluru and Goa
The new service is set to begin regular commercial operations on November 15, 2026. Replacing the existing Mangaluru Central–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 20645/20646), this upgraded service aims to streamline travel for tourists and commuters alike. The journey is expected to take approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes.
Weekly Schedule and Train Numbers
The Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express will operate six days a week. Passengers should note the following schedule to plan their trips:
- Train 26655: Departs from Yesvantpur and does not run on Wednesdays.
- Train 26656: Departs from Madgaon and does not run on Thursdays.
Major Halts and Route Details
To cater to the needs of travelers across coastal Karnataka, the train will make 12 intermediate stops. These include:
- Shravanabelagola
- Hassan
- Sakleshpur
- Subrahmanya Road
- Kabaka Puttur
- Mangaluru Junction
- Udupi
- Kundapura
- Byndoor
- Murdeshwar
- Gokarna Road
- Karwar
Boosting Infrastructure and Tourism
During the inauguration, PM Modi also dedicated several vital railway projects to the nation. These include the doubling of the Bagalkot–Wandal line and the electrification of the Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road Ghat section.
According to Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar, these developments under the South Western Railway (SWR) zone are designed to reduce diesel dependency and significantly enhance tourism by providing seamless access to the coastal regions of Karnataka and Goa.