Indian Railways is set to introduce a Vande Bharat Express connecting Vijayawada to Bengaluru, reducing travel time between the two major cities by nearly three hours.
This high-speed train, scheduled to cover the journey in just nine hours, aims to enhance commuter convenience, particularly benefiting pilgrims en route to Tirupati and business travellers headed to Bengaluru. The new train, numbered 20711/20712, will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays, and is expected to dramatically cut down dependency on slower alternatives like the Kondaveedu Express, which currently connects Machilipatnam and Yeswanthpur only thrice a week. With improved frequency, shorter journey times, and enhanced comfort, the new service is aligned with the Railways’ broader goal of facilitating cleaner, faster, and more accessible mobility across key corridors.
Departing from Vijayawada at 5:15 AM, the train will stop at Tenali, Ongole, Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor, Katpadi, and Krishnarajapuram before reaching SMVT Bengaluru at 2:15 PM. The return journey begins the same day at 2:45 PM from SMVT Bengaluru, mirroring the onward route. The coach composition will include seven AC chair cars and one executive chair car, signalling Indian Railways’ intention to expand high-speed, high-comfort train services in the southern corridor. The Vande Bharat’s energy-efficient electric traction and regenerative braking systems underscore the government’s move toward carbon-neutral transit options.
While Vijayawada’s inclusion in the Vande Bharat network is a step forward, the city of Visakhapatnam continues to wait for equitable connectivity. Despite being a growing economic and technological hub, Vizag remains underserved in terms of direct, high-speed links to Bengaluru. Currently, options such as the Anga Express and SMVT Bengaluru Superfast Express require up to 17.5 hours, while the Prashanti Express, extended to Bhubaneswar under the East Coast Railway zone, takes over 22 hours to reach Bengaluru. This has led to a persistent demand from professionals and students in north Andhra for a faster alternative, specifically a sleeper-class Vande Bharat with overnight capabilities.
The proposed sleeper Vande Bharat variant, which can clock speeds up to 180 km/h, is seen as a viable solution to this regional imbalance. With the potential to dramatically reduce travel time and increase overnight occupancy, such a service could not only ease congestion on existing routes but also catalyse economic integration between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. As rail authorities focus on expanding the Vande Bharat network, prioritising underserved regions like Visakhapatnam will be crucial in ensuring that infrastructure development remains inclusive and aligned with India’s broader urbanisation and sustainability goals.
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