Indian Railways’ upcoming Vande Bharat Express connecting Bengaluru and Goa is drawing attention for an unusual reason. Despite being part of India’s premium semi-high-speed train network, the proposed Yesvantpur-Madgaon service is expected to average just 53-54 kmph, potentially making it the slowest Vande Bharat service in the country.
The train is expected to cover the distance in approximately 13 hours, raising questions about journey speed and the benefits of premium train services on routes with challenging geographical conditions.
Bengaluru-Goa Vande Bharat: Journey Takes Nearly 13 Hours
According to the proposed timetable, train number 26655 will depart from Yesvantpur in Bengaluru at 7:35 am and reach Madgaon in Goa at 8:55 pm. The journey will take approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes.
For the return journey, train number 26656 will leave Madgaon at 8:20 am and arrive at Yesvantpur at 9:15 pm, taking 12 hours and 55 minutes.
The service is expected to operate six days a week. The Bengaluru-bound service will not operate on Thursdays, while the Goa-bound service will remain unavailable on Wednesdays.
Why Is the Vande Bharat Train So Slow?
The primary reason for the relatively low average speed is the railway route through the Western Ghats.
The stretch between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road presents significant operational challenges because of its mountainous terrain. Railway safety restrictions are expected to limit the train’s speed to approximately 30 kmph across the 55-km ghat section.
Although Vande Bharat trains are designed for much higher speeds, actual operating speeds depend on track conditions, geographical constraints, maintenance requirements and the number of scheduled stops.
The proposed service is therefore expected to operate at an average speed comparable to conventional Mail and Express trains.
12 Stops Connect Karnataka’s Coastal Destinations
The new service will connect several important towns across Karnataka before reaching Goa. Its scheduled intermediate stops include Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur, Mangaluru Junction, Udupi, Kundapura, Mookambika Road Byndoor, Murdeshwar, Gokarna Road and Karwar.
The route will offer direct connectivity to popular coastal and tourist destinations while providing passengers with views of the Western Ghats.
The existing Mangaluru Central-Madgaon Vande Bharat service is also expected to be discontinued following the introduction of the new route.
How Does It Compare With Other Vande Bharat Trains?
The proposed Bengaluru-Goa service’s average speed of 53-54 kmph is considerably lower than several existing Vande Bharat routes.
For comparison, the Varanasi-New Delhi service averages approximately 95 kmph, covering 759 km in around eight hours.
The difference highlights how infrastructure limitations and geographical conditions can influence the actual performance of trains designed for semi-high-speed operations.
Launch Date and Ticket Prices Awaited
The Railway Board has approved the new service, but the official launch date and ticket fares are yet to be announced. The train is expected to operate with two Vande Bharat trainsets, with maintenance facilities planned at Yesvantpur and Madgaon.
Summary
The upcoming Bengaluru-Goa Vande Bharat Express may become India’s slowest service, averaging 53-54 kmph. Covering the Yesvantpur-Madgaon route in nearly 13 hours, the train will navigate challenging Western Ghats terrain, including a section with speed restrictions. It will have 12 intermediate stops, operate six days weekly and replace the existing Mangaluru-Madgaon Vande Bharat service.
