Mangaluru–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express Trial Run Cancelled Abruptly, Uncertainty Looms Over Launch
The highly anticipated June 3 trial run has been withdrawn by South Western Railway, disappointing passengers across Coastal Karnataka.
Mangaluru: In a setback for rail passengers in Coastal Karnataka, the much-awaited trial run of the proposed Mangaluru–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express has been unexpectedly cancelled by the South Western Railway (SWR). The trial was scheduled to take place on June 3 and was seen as a key step towards launching the premium train service between the two cities.
According to an official order issued by the office of the Chief Passenger Transportation Manager (CPTM), South Western Railway has withdrawn the trial run proposal with immediate effect. All concerned railway divisions have been informed, and operational arrangements that had been planned for the trial have also been cancelled.
The trial run was intended to assess the feasibility of operating the eight-coach Vande Bharat train on the route. Railway authorities had planned to evaluate factors such as speed, track capacity, tunnel clearances, and the train’s performance through the challenging Shiradi Ghat section. The announcement of the trial had generated significant excitement among passengers and railway enthusiasts who have long been awaiting a semi-high-speed rail connection between Bengaluru and Mangaluru.
While the railway administration has not officially disclosed the reason for the cancellation, sources suggest that the unavailability of the required train rake, operational priorities, and certain technical considerations may have contributed to the decision.
Notably, freight train operations through the Shiradi Ghat section continue without disruption, indicating that there are no major infrastructure-related issues on the route. Railway sources indicate that the primary challenge appears to be the availability of the specific Vande Bharat rake and the special arrangements needed for conducting the trial.
The proposed Vande Bharat service is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Mangaluru, providing a major boost to tourism, business activities, and regional connectivity across Coastal Karnataka.
Following the cancellation of the June 3 trial run, railway authorities have not yet announced a revised schedule, leaving passengers eagerly awaiting further updates on the project.