Indian Railways is planning to introduce a new Vande Bharat train service connecting Mumbai to Mangaluru, reducing travel time to approximately 12 hours. This initiative aims to merge the existing Mumbai-Goa and Mangaluru-Goa routes, optimizing operations and boosting passenger occupancy. Currently, both the Mumbai-Goa and Mangaluru-Goa Vande Bharat trains have an average occupancy of about 70%, but officials expect that a direct Mumbai-Mangaluru route will significantly increase demand.
Mumbai-Mangaluru Vande Bharat: Boosting Efficiency and Meeting Rising Demand
The Mangaluru-Goa Vande Bharat service has struggled with occupancy below 40%, leading to an initial proposal to extend the route to Kozhikode. However, strong opposition from Karnataka’s political leaders led to its cancellation. Meanwhile, the Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat initially had around 90% occupancy, which has since dropped to 70%. Railways officials believe that by combining these routes into a single Mumbai-Mangaluru service, passenger numbers will improve, making the service more efficient.
Trains between Mumbai and Mangaluru, and those extending to Kerala, typically experience full occupancy, suggesting strong demand for direct connectivity. The new route is expected to attract even more passengers, making it a vital addition to India’s railway network.
Mumbai-Mangaluru Vande Bharat: Proposed Schedule and Operational Challenges
Under the proposed schedule, the Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat, which departs at 5:25 am and reaches Goa at 1:10 pm, will continue to Mangaluru, arriving by 6 pm. Similarly, the Mangaluru-Goa Vande Bharat, departing at 8:30 am, will extend its journey to Mumbai, reaching at 9 pm. However, platform congestion in Mumbai during peak hours poses a scheduling challenge, as several long-distance trains arrive around the same time.
To address this, Central Railways is evaluating possible adjustments to the Mumbai-Mangaluru Vande Bharat schedule. If successfully implemented, the new service will enhance travel convenience and improve operational efficiency, making it a valuable addition to India’s high-speed rail network.
Summary:
Indian Railways plans a new Mumbai-Mangaluru Vande Bharat train to cut travel time to 12 hours by merging Mumbai-Goa and Mangaluru-Goa routes. This aims to boost passenger occupancy and efficiency. Scheduling challenges in Mumbai are being addressed, and the route is expected to meet rising demand for direct connectivity.
