The Ministry of Railways has launched the inaugural run of the much-anticipated Bengaluru-Mumbai express train on May 17. The inaugural run was flagged off by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually. Expected to improve connectivity between Bengaluru and Mumbai, the new express train will be operated and maintained by the South Western Railway zone. Here’s all that you need to know about the new Bengaluru-Mumbai Express Train.
New Bengaluru-Mumbai Express Train: Route, Dates, Distance, Travel Time, & More
Bengaluru-Mumbai-Bengaluru Express Set For An Inaugural Run
The new Bengaluru-Mumbai-Bengaluru Express will run as train numbers 16553/16554 between SMVT Bengaluru and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus. On Sunday, May 17, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagged off the inaugural run of the new express train between Bengaluru and Mumbai.
The new service is expected to improve railway connectivity between the two megacities. It will also connect Hubbali-Dharwad, Belagavi, and Pune regions. The train will be operated and maintained by the South Western Railway zone.
Regular service of the 16553/16554 SMVT Bengaluru-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Bi-Weekly Express will commence from May 23 and May 24, with an additional stoppage approved at Tumakuru station in both directions.
The journey will take 24 hours and 5 minutes, with the train halting at Tumakuru, Davangere, SSS Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Miraj, Sangli, Karad, Satara, Lonand, Pune, Lonavala, Karjat, Kalyan, and Thane stations.
On Sunday, Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced that a Vande Bharat sleeper service will be announced on the Bengaluru-Mumbai route shortly.
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Work Across Corridors In Bengaluru
Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, confirming that work is underway across all four corridors. Land acquisition has been completed for the Baiyappanahalli-Chikkabanavara and Heelalige-Rajanukunte corridors and station construction has also begun.
The KSR Bengaluru-Devanahalli alignment has been jointly approved by the state government and railways, with geotechnical surveys finished. Surveys for the recently approved Kengeri-Whitefield alignment will begin soon.
He said Karnataka now has 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains, with testing on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route underway to improve coastal connectivity up to Madgaon. Along with these projects, bullet train corridors connecting Bengaluru with Hyderabad and Chennai have been approved.
Summing Up
The new Bengaluru-Mumbai Express will improve connectivity between Mumbai and Bengaluru, two of India’s most significant economic centers. With a Vande Bharat planned already, the two cities will witness high-speed connectivity unlike ever before.
