Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat: New Extended Route Announced
Indian Railways replaces Madgaon-Mangaluru Vande Bharat with a new extended service to Yesvantpur, Bengaluru, via Mangaluru.
Indian Railways is set to transform premium travel between the coastal regions of Karnataka and the state capital. The existing Madgaon-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express service is being discontinued to make way for a much more ambitious, extended route connecting Yesvantpur in Bengaluru to Madgaon via Mangaluru Junction.
Why the Route is Changing
This strategic shift follows the successful electrification of the Hassan-Mangaluru ghat section. By extending the service to Bengaluru, the Railway Board aims to enhance connectivity for travelers moving between the coastal belt and the major hub of Yesvantpur. The new service was officially sanctioned through a circular issued on October 30, 2026.
New Train Details and Schedule
The new service, operating under Train No. 26655/26656, is expected to be inaugurated in the third week of November 2026. This premium train will run six days a week with the following schedule:
- From Yesvantpur: Operates every day except Wednesdays.
- From Madgaon: Operates every day except Thursdays.
Important Reservation Alert
Passengers planning to use the outgoing Madgaon-Mangaluru Vande Bharat (No. 20645/20646) should take note: advance reservations for this service have been halted, effective November 28, 2026.
Journey Duration and Key Stoppages
The extended journey will span approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes, offering a scenic and efficient link across the region. The train will feature 12 scheduled stoppages to serve various important locations:
- Shravanabelagola
- Hassan
- Sakleshpur
- Subrahmanya Road
- Kabaka Puttur
- Mangaluru Junction
- Udupi
- Kundapura
- Mookambika Road Byndoor
- Murdeshwar
- Gokarna Road
- Karwar
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the development, noting that the decision addresses long-standing requests from regional representatives, including Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary.