Mangaluru: South Western Railway (SWR) will operate a one-trip special express train between Bengaluru Cantonment and Madgaon to meet the expected increase in passenger demand during the October long weekend.
The special service will provide an additional rail option for passengers travelling between Bengaluru, coastal Karnataka and Goa during the holiday period. The train will operate in both directions, with stops at several important stations across Karnataka and Goa.
Bengaluru-Madgaon special train on October 1
Train No. 06597 Bengaluru Cantonment–Madgaon Express Special will depart from Bengaluru Cantonment at 11.50 pm on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The train is scheduled to reach Madgaon at 6.10 pm on Friday, October 2. The service has been announced as a one-trip special to accommodate the additional passenger traffic expected during the weekend holidays.
The return service, Train No. 06598 Madgaon–Bengaluru Cantonment Express Special, will leave Madgaon at 8.40 am on Sunday, October 4 and reach Bengaluru Cantonment at 11.55 pm on the same day.
The timings allow passengers to travel towards Goa for the long weekend and return to Bengaluru on Sunday.
Special train to stop at Mangaluru region stations
The special train will serve several stations in Bengaluru, Hassan, coastal Karnataka and the Goa-bound route.
In both directions, the train will halt at:
- SMVT Bengaluru
- Chikkabanavara
- Kunigal
- Channarayapatna
- Hassan
- Sakleshpur
- Subrahmanya Road
- Kabaka Puttur
- Bantwal
- Surathkal
- Mulki
- Udupi
- Barkur
- Kundapura
- Byndoor
- Bhatkal
- Murdeshwar
- Honnavar
- Kumta
- Gokarna Road
- Ankola
- Karwar
- Canacona
The extensive list of stoppages gives passengers from several parts of coastal Karnataka an additional option for travel towards Madgaon and Bengaluru during the holiday period.
23-coach train composition
The special express will comprise 23 coaches.
The rake will include:
- One AC 2-Tier coach
- Three AC 3-Tier coaches
- 10 Sleeper Class coaches
- Seven General Second Class coaches
- Two Second Class-cum-Luggage and Brake Van coaches
The train will also have facilities for passengers with disabilities.
The coach composition provides a mix of reserved and general seating options for passengers travelling on the route.
Service aimed at managing weekend rush
The special service comes as railways anticipate increased passenger movement during the October holiday period.
The Bengaluru-Madgaon route connects the state capital with several important destinations along the western coast, including Udupi, Kundapura, Karwar and Canacona before reaching Madgaon in Goa.
For passengers from coastal Karnataka, the additional service is particularly relevant because it provides direct connectivity towards Bengaluru and Goa without requiring a change of train at an intermediate station.
South Western Railway Hubballi Division Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Manjunath Kanamadi announced the service through a press release.
Key timings at a glance
| Train | Route | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06597 | Bengaluru Cantonment–Madgaon | Oct 1, 11.50 pm | Oct 2, 6.10 pm |
| 06598 | Madgaon–Bengaluru Cantonment | Oct 4, 8.40 am | Oct 4, 11.55 pm |
The service is scheduled as a special one-trip operation in each direction. Passengers are advised to check the latest railway reservation and operational information before travelling, as train timings and operations can be subject to railway changes.
Additional connectivity for coastal Karnataka
The special train includes a long sequence of coastal stops, covering major passenger points from Bantwal to Canacona.
Stations such as Udupi, Kundapura, Bhatkal, Murdeshwar, Kumta and Karwar are among the locations served by the train. This gives passengers across the coastal belt an additional rail service during a period when demand is expected to rise.
The service also links Bengaluru Cantonment with Madgaon directly, covering the route overnight in the Bengaluru-to-Goa direction before reaching Madgaon on Friday evening.
Conclusion
South Western Railway will operate Train Nos. 06597 and 06598 as special express services between Bengaluru Cantonment and Madgaon for the October long weekend. The outbound service will leave Bengaluru on October 1 and arrive in Madgaon on October 2, while the return train will operate on October 4.
With 23 coaches and stops across Bengaluru, Hassan, coastal Karnataka and Goa, the special service is intended to provide additional capacity during the expected weekend passenger rush.