Karnataka’s Infrastructure Development Minister, M.B. Patil, has requested Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s approval for a Vande Bharat Sleeper Express train from Bengaluru to Vijayapura, a high-speed rail corridor between Bengaluru and Mumbai, and a daily special train service on the Bengaluru-Vijayapura route. Patil emphasized the importance of connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai efficiently, with Vaishnaw showing positive interest in extending the high-speed rail corridor to Bengaluru.
Desiring to reduce the travel time between Bengaluru and Vijayapura from 15-16 hours to around 10 hours, Patil suggested minimizing halts between Bengaluru and Hubballi and operating trains via the Hubballi and Gadag bypasses. He also advocated for the introduction of a Vande Bharat Express service on this route. Additionally, Patil urged for a daily special train service between Bengaluru and Vijayapura, highlighting the significant social, industrial, and economic benefits these proposed services would bring to central and north Karnataka.
During the meeting, attended by senior railway officials including South Western Railway General Manager Ajay Sharma, Patil also emphasized the significance of a newly inaugurated electronics manufacturing facility in the Hi-Tech Hardware Park at Bagalur. The facility aims to enhance India’s capacity in producing high-reliability electronics for critical applications in sectors like defence, aerospace, and automotive electronics. Patil noted the state’s substantial investments in infrastructure, including extending Cauvery water supply to industrial areas and improving roads, power, and logistics to support manufacturing units.
