PM Modi to Launch Bengaluru–Belagavi Vande Bharat Express on August 10

The much-awaited high-speed rail link between Belagavi and Bengaluru is set to become a reality, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to formally launch the Vande Bharat Express on Sunday, August 10.

The announcement was made by Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. During his visit to Karnataka, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate three additional Vande Bharat services.

The new services include:

• Bengaluru–Belagavi Vande Bharat Express
• Ajni (Nagpur)–Pune Vande Bharat Express
• Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express

The Bengaluru–Belagavi train will operate in both directions, vastly improving connectivity across key towns in Karnataka. 

“As per my earlier request, approval was granted for the Bengaluru–Belagavi Vande Bharat train,” Joshi posted. “It will depart from Belagavi at 5:20 am and arrive in Bengaluru at 1:50 pm. The return journey will commence from Bengaluru at 2:20 pm and reach Belagavi by 10:40 pm,” he added.

This new service is anticipated to substantially reduce travel times and enhance comfort for passengers travelling between Belagavi, Dharwad, Hubballi, Haveri, Davanagere, Tumakuru, and Bengaluru — offering a quicker alternative to existing rail options.

Joshi expressed his sincere gratitude to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways V Somanna for their support in making this route operational.

The initiation of the Belagavi–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express marks a major milestone in Karnataka’s railway infrastructure development, addressing a longstanding demand from residents and commuters in northern Karnataka.