Which Cities Will It Connect?
Indian Railways has given an in-principle go-ahead for a new Vande Bharat Express between Shivamogga Town in Karnataka and Tirupati, bringing potentially faster and more comfortable rail travel for passengers and devotees travelling to the temple city. The proposed service is expected to benefit a large number of passengers from the Shivamogga region who travel to Tirumala. The move comes amid efforts to improve rail connectivity to Tirupati, which attracts devotees from across the country. The Railway Board has approved the proposal in principle, with further details about the service, including its launch date, timings and fares, expected to be announced officially by railway authorities.
Tirupati MP Maddila Gurumurthy had earlier written to the Chairman of the Railway Board seeking a Vande Bharat service between Shivamogga Town and Tirupati. In his request, the MP highlighted the demand from devotees and other passengers travelling between the two cities. The Railway Board subsequently communicated its positive response to Gurumurthy, paving the way for the proposed service.
The MP welcomed the decision and thanked the Railway Board Chairman for considering the request. He said the new train would provide an additional travel option for passengers heading to Tirupati and help save travel time. The proposed Vande Bharat could also strengthen rail connectivity between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, giving passengers another direct and faster travel option between the two States.
What The Shivamogga-Tirupati Train Could Mean For Passengers? For passengers currently dependent on conventional services, a Vande Bharat could offer a quicker journey along the route, along with modern onboard facilities. For devotees travelling from Shivamogga and surrounding areas to Tirumala, the service could provide another option for planning their pilgrimage. It could also improve connectivity between parts of Karnataka and the Tirupati region. However, the exact schedule, number of stoppages, fare structure and launch date are yet to be officially announced.
Meanwhile, another major Vande Bharat development is being discussed for the Telugu States, with Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru likely to be connected by a Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. Unlike the existing Vande Bharat services designed primarily for daytime journeys, the sleeper version is intended for longer overnight travel. Preparations are reportedly under way for the first Vande Bharat Sleeper service in the region, with the Visakhapatnam-Bengaluru route being considered.
The proposed service would connect Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh with Bengaluru in Karnataka, providing passengers with an overnight travel option on a long-distance route. Railway authorities are understood to be working on the route and other operational details, although the final schedule and launch arrangements have not yet been announced.
What Makes Vande Bharat Sleeper Different? Indian Railways developed the Vande Bharat Sleeper to cater to passengers travelling longer distances overnight. The train features sleeping berths along with modern passenger amenities and upgraded safety features. The introduction of a sleeper service on the Visakhapatnam-Bengaluru route would give passengers the option of travelling overnight instead of spending a significant part of the day on the journey.
If introduced, the service could further improve connectivity between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, particularly for passengers travelling between Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru. With the proposed Shivamogga-Tirupati Vande Bharat and the potential Visakhapatnam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper service, passengers in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and the wider Telugu region could have more modern rail travel options in the coming months.
