The journey between Bengaluru's tech hub and Goa's sunny beaches is about to get faster and more comfortable. Indian Railways has approved a new Vande Bharat Express service that will cut travel time to around 13 hours.
A New Vande Bharat Connection
The Railway Board has officially
approved the introduction of the Yesvantpur-Madgaon-Yesvantpur Vande Bharat Express. This new semi-high-speed service will directly link Karnataka's capital with the popular coastal state of Goa, operating six days a week. Train number 26655 will depart from Yesvantpur, Bengaluru, at 7:35 AM and arrive in Madgaon, Goa, at 8:55 PM, taking approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes. The return journey, train number 26656, will leave Madgaon at 8:20 AM and reach Yesvantpur at 9:15 PM. The service will not run from Yesvantpur on Wednesdays and from Madgaon on Thursdays. The introduction of this train means the existing Madgaon-Mangaluru Central Vande Bharat Express will be discontinued.
The Scenic Coastal Route
Instead of the traditional Hubballi track, this new service will run via Mangaluru Junction, connecting several key towns across Karnataka's interior and coastal regions. The route includes 12 stops: Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur, Mangaluru Junction, Udupi, Kundapura, Mookambika Road Byndoor, Murdeshwar, Gokarna Road, and Karwar. A highlight of the journey is expected to be the stretch through the Western Ghats between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road, which is renowned for its lush green landscapes and stunning natural beauty. This provides passengers with a scenic daytime travel option that was previously unavailable on a direct, high-speed service.
Years of Upgrades Pave the Way
This significant reduction in travel time is the result of long-term infrastructure upgrades, particularly the electrification of the railway line between Bengaluru and Mangaluru. The completion of this electrification work in December 2025 was a critical milestone, enabling the operation of electric trains like the Vande Bharat Express along this challenging ghat section. The project involved installing overhead electrification systems and building switching stations to ensure safe and reliable operations. While this new Vande Bharat takes the coastal route, Indian Railways has also been working for years on doubling the track on the other main line from Hospet via Hubballi and Londa to Vasco da Gama to increase capacity for both passenger and freight trains. These parallel efforts showcase a broader commitment to modernising rail infrastructure in the region.
Boosting Tourism and Connectivity
The new train is a significant boost for tourism and regional connectivity. It provides a direct, comfortable, and relatively fast link for travellers from Bengaluru heading to popular coastal destinations not just in Goa, but also in Karnataka, such as Udupi, Murdeshwar, and Gokarna. For years, travellers between the two states have relied on overnight buses, flights, or slower train services that could take much longer. By offering a journey time of around 13 hours, the Vande Bharat makes train travel a much more competitive and attractive option. The chair_car service is designed for comfort, allowing passengers to work or relax while enjoying the scenic journey through the Western Ghats and along the coast.
