A new Vande Bharat Express will connect Bengaluru, coastal Karnataka and Goa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the service from Bengaluru on Friday, November 13.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will give the green signal from Mangaluru Junction on the same day.
Vande Bharat is a semi-high-speed train service.
Regular service begins on Sunday, November 15.
- Friday, November 13PM Narendra Modi flags off the service from Bengaluru.
- Friday, November 13Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw gives the green signal from Mangaluru Junction.
- Sunday, November 15Regular Vande Bharat service between Yesvantpur and Madgaon begins.
- From November 15Current Madgaon-Mangaluru Central Vande Bharat trains 20645 and 20646 stop running.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
The train will run between Yesvantpur in Bengaluru and Madgaon in Goa, with stops at Mangaluru on the way.
Key points
- Inaugural trains run on Friday, November 13.
- Regular service between Bengaluru and Madgaon starts on November 15.
- The journey takes 13 hours and 20 minutes.
- The older Madgaon to Mangaluru Central train will stop running from November 15.
How will this train change travel for Goa passengers?
The new train adds another option for people moving between Goa, coastal Karnataka and Bengaluru.
Officials say it will boost connectivity across these areas.
Two special trains will run on the inaugural day.
One leaves Bengaluru at 13:30 and reaches Madgaon in the early hours of the next day.
The other leaves Mangaluru Junction at 13:30 and reaches Bengaluru at 21:00 the same day.
How much will tickets cost, and how can I book?
A full Bengaluru to Madgaon journey costs Rs 2,200 in AC Chair Car. In Executive Chair Car, it costs Rs 3,865.
Tickets can be booked on the IRCTC website or through the Rail Connect and RailOne apps.
Passengers can also visit the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters at railway stations.
What happens to the existing Goa train?
The current Madgaon to Mangaluru Central Vande Bharat train, numbers 20645 and 20646, will no longer run after the new service starts.
This change applies in both directions from November 15.
Train number 26655 runs six days a week, except Wednesdays. Train number 26656 runs on all days except Thursdays.
