In a significant development for rail commuters, the Western Railway has announced the initiation of regular services for the Vande Bharat Express connecting Kalaburagi to Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Bengaluru.
Commencing its routine operations from March 15, 2024, departing from SMVT Bengaluru and March 16, 2024, departing from Kalaburagi, the Train No. 22231/22232 Kalaburagi-SMVT Bengaluru-Kalaburagi Vande Bharat Express is poised to enhance connectivity between these key destinations. Operating six days a week, with the exception of Fridays for the outbound journey and Thursdays for the inbound journey, the Vande Bharat Express promises a seamless travel experience. Departing Kalaburagi at 5:15 a.m., the train is scheduled to arrive at SMVT Bengaluru at 2 p.m. on the same day. En route, it will make strategic stops at Raichur, Manthralayam Road, Guntakal, Anantapur, and Yelahanka. For the return journey, Train No. 22232 SMVT Bengaluru-Kalaburagi Vande Bharat Express will depart from SMVT Bengaluru at 2:40 p.m., reaching Kalaburagi at 11:30 p.m. the same day, except on Thursdays. The train will halt at Yelahanka, Anantapur, Guntakal, Manthralayam Road, and Raichur during its journey back.
It is worth noting that the train’s operations between Kalaburagi and SMVT Bengaluru stations will persist until maintenance facilities at Kalaburagi are commissioned. Upon completion of this maintenance work, the train will be serviced at Bengaluru Cantonment instead of SMVT Bengaluru. The initiation of regular Vande Bharat Express services marks a significant step towards bolstering railway connectivity and facilitating convenient travel for passengers between Kalaburagi and Bengaluru.
