Mumbai: Indian Railways is set to introduce a new Vande Bharat train that will connect Mumbai and Mangaluru directly. This move comes as part of a plan to merge the existing Mumbai-Goa and Mangaluru-Goa Vande Bharat routes, reducing travel time to approximately 12 hours. The decision is expected to improve connectivity between the two cities while addressing low occupancy issues on the Mangaluru-Goa route.
Details On Proposed Timings
Currently, the Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat departs from Mumbai at 5:25 am and reaches Goa at 1:10 pm. Under the new plan, the train will continue onward to Mangaluru, arriving at around 6:00 pm. Similarly, the Mangaluru-Goa Vande Bharat, which presently departs at 8:30 am and reaches Goa at 1:10 pm, will be extended to Mumbai, reaching by 9:00 pm, reported MoneyControl. This adjustment aims to provide seamless connectivity between Mumbai and Mangaluru without requiring passengers to switch trains at Goa.
However, operational challenges remain. Reports indicate that evening congestion at Mumbai’s railway stations could pose difficulties in scheduling the extended service. Several long-distance trains arrive at the same time, limiting platform availability. Railway officials will need to manage this issue effectively to ensure smooth operations.
One key reason for this route extension is the low occupancy of the Mangaluru-Goa Vande Bharat. Reports suggest that its passenger occupancy is below 40 per cent, making it one of the least utiliaed Vande Bharat services.
Initially, the Indian Railways considered extending this train to Kozhikode to increase ridership. However, political opposition in Karnataka led to the cancellation of this plan, leaving the train’s future uncertain. Currently, the Mangaluru-Goa Vande Bharat takes about four and a half hours to complete its journey, but its limited passenger demand has raised concerns about viability.
On the other hand, the Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat initially saw a high occupancy rate of 90 per cent, but this has since declined to around 70 per cent. Railway officials believe that extending the service to Mangaluru will help revive demand, as the new route could attract more long-distance travellers.
This proposed extension aligns with Indian Railways’ broader strategy to optimize Vande Bharat services and ensure better utilisation of resources. If successful, the Mumbai-Mangaluru Vande Bharat could provide a faster and more efficient travel option for passengers along the Konkan coast. However, the real test will be whether the extended route can sustain high occupancy and avoid operational hurdles, particularly at busy Mumbai stations.
