PM Modi launches Bengaluru-Goa Vande Bharat Express service
Regular commercial operations for the new Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express will commence on November 15, 2026.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the new Bengaluru-Mangaluru-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express on Friday, linking Bengaluru, coastal Karnataka, and Goa. Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was also present at the event, according to the Times of India.
The South Western Railway (SWR) will begin regular services for the Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express on November 15, 2026, following two special inaugural services on November 13. The introduction of this service will result in the permanent discontinuation of the existing Madgaon–Mangaluru Central–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 20645/20646) from November 15, India TV reported.
Train No. 26655 will depart Yesvantpur Junction at 7.35 am and reach Madgaon at 8.55 pm, with a total journey time of 13 hours 20 minutes. The service will operate six days a week, except Wednesdays. In the return direction, Train No. 26656 will depart Madgaon at 8.20 am and reach Yesvantpur Junction at 9.15 pm, running six days a week except Thursdays.
The 16-coach train will stop at Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, Kabakaputtur, Mangaluru Junction, Udupi, Kundapura, Mookambika Road Byndoor, Murdeshwar, Gokarna Road, and Karwar. The service operates on an electrified route, which includes the newly electrified 55 km Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road Ghat railway section.
Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar told ANI that the service provides a direct connection to Goa's tourism destinations and is a testament to ongoing infrastructure development. The Vande Bharat Express features all-air-conditioned chair cars, European-style seats, and aircraft-style bio-vacuum toilets.