New Delhi/Bengaluru, April 13 (IANS) The Central government has approved the operation of a new Vande Bharat sleeper train service between Bengaluru and Mumbai, responding to a request made by the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi, an official statement said on Monday.

Highlighting the significance of the project, Union Minister Joshi said the Central government is giving priority to the development of the Kalyana Karnataka region alongside overall state development.

He noted that the new train service will boost commercial activity and provide improved transportation facilities across Karnataka.

Union Minister Joshi also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving the project.

The statement said that Union Minister Joshi had urged Prime Minister Modi and Railway Minister Vaishnaw to introduce a new Vande Bharat train to improve connectivity to North Karnataka, Central Karnataka, and Kalyana Karnataka regions.

Acting on Pralhad Joshi’s request, the Centre has now granted approval for a Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper train via the Kalyana Karnataka route.

The proposed train will operate from KSR Bengaluru Railway Station to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai, passing through key regions of Karnataka.

The route is expected to cover Tumakuru, Davanagere, Haveri, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Belagavi, thereby enhancing connectivity between Bengaluru and the commercial hub of Mumbai.

Union Minister Joshi had initially proposed introducing a Bengaluru–Mumbai superfast train along this route, with plans to later upgrade it into a Vande Bharat sleeper service.

Railway Minister Vaishnaw has approved this proposal.

The route, stops, travel time and launch date would be announced soon.

Union Minister Vaishnaw informed the Bengaluru Central MP P.C. Mohan in this regard earlier.

Taking to social media platform X, BJP National Yuva Morcha President and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya on Monday said, “Bengaluru and Mumbai are two of the most important growth engines of India. They deserve best of connectivity, which PM Modi Ji-led government is fulfilling through the approval of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train between the two cities.”

“The Railway Board Chairman informed me in a telephonic conversation that the brand new railway coaches are being readied and the target is to start the train service latest by the end of July,” Surya added.

This much needed addition will greatly benefit the working population of both cities, the BJP MP said.

“Huge thanks to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji and Minister of State V. Somanna for their continued support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s government prioritises delivery and a citizen-first approach,” Surya noted.

At present, Udyan Express is the main link between Mumbai and Bengaluru covering a distance of 1,139 km in about 22 hours.

The Vande Bharat train is expected to reduce travel time by about six hours.

–IANS

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