The Railway Board has responded positively to a proposal for a new Vande Bharat Express connecting Tirupati and Shivamogga Town via Bengaluru, according to a report by Aaj Tak Business published on September 8. The proposed service is intended to improve rail connectivity between the two cities and could also benefit passengers travelling between Tirupati and Bengaluru.
The proposal was raised by Tirupati Member of Parliament Maddila Gurumoorthy, who wrote to the chairman and chief executive officer of the Railway Board. In his communication, the MP sought improvements to facilities at Tirupati railway station and requested new Vande Bharat services for the city in view of the growing number of pilgrims visiting the temple town.
According to the report, the Railway Board informed the MP that a proposal had been prepared to operate a Vande Bharat service from Tirupati to Shivamogga Town. The proposed route would pass through Bengaluru. The response was described by the MP as a positive step towards expanding rail services from Tirupati.
The proposed connection would cover about 545 kilometres, according to the original report. A service routed through Bengaluru could provide an additional fast rail option for passengers travelling between Tirupati and the Karnataka capital, while also creating a direct connection towards Shivamogga Town. The report does not provide a detailed timetable, list of intermediate stops or expected journey time beyond the stated distance.
Tirupati is a major pilgrimage destination and an important rail origin for passengers travelling to and from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other parts of southern India. The MP’s request linked the proposed service to passenger demand and the need for better station facilities. However, the Railway Board’s reported response represents consideration of the proposal rather than a final operational decision.
The final approval for the train, its schedule, stopping pattern and frequency have not yet been announced. No date has been provided for the start of operations. Further decisions will depend on the railway authorities’ examination of the proposal and subsequent operational approvals.
For passengers, the immediate development is therefore the Railway Board’s reported positive response, rather than the launch of a confirmed service. The next formal milestone will be an announcement on whether the proposed Tirupati–Shivamogga Town Vande Bharat receives final approval and when operations could begin.
