Mangaluru: District In-Charge Minister and Karnataka Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao has written to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging the Centre to introduce Vande Bharat Express train services between Mangaluru and Bengaluru to enhance connectivity and boost economic growth in coastal Karnataka.
In his letter, Rao highlighted Mangaluru’s growing importance as a major coastal city and one of the fastest-developing urban centres in Karnataka after Bengaluru. He stressed that improved high-speed rail connectivity is essential to support the city’s expanding economic, educational, and healthcare ecosystem.
Describing Mangaluru as a key hub of development, Rao pointed out that the city is home to some of the state’s best hospitals, renowned educational institutions, and a steadily growing industrial base. These factors, he noted, attract thousands of daily commuters, including entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and patients, who frequently travel between Mangaluru and the state capital.
Need for faster and efficient rail connectivity
Dinesh Gundu Rao stated that the introduction of Vande Bharat train services would greatly benefit passengers by significantly reducing travel time and improving comfort. He observed that the existing rail services between Mangaluru and Bengaluru, while vital, often involve long travel hours, which affect productivity and convenience for regular travellers.
According to the minister, a modern high-speed train like the Vande Bharat Express would serve as a game-changer for the region. It would provide a reliable and efficient mode of transport for business leaders, professionals, and industrial stakeholders who commute frequently between the two cities.
He also noted that improved connectivity would encourage greater interaction between Bengaluru’s technology-driven economy and Mangaluru’s emerging industrial and service sectors, creating new opportunities for collaboration and investment.
Boost to industrial and economic growth
Rao emphasised that a Vande Bharat service would not only benefit passengers but also give a strong push to industrial and economic growth in Dakshina Kannada district and neighbouring regions. Faster connectivity, he said, is a critical factor in attracting new investments and enabling existing industries to expand their operations.
Mangaluru’s strategic location as a port city, combined with its strong educational and healthcare infrastructure, positions it as a natural growth centre. The minister pointed out that seamless and speedy rail connectivity with Bengaluru would further strengthen this position and help the region realise its full economic potential.
He added that such a service would also support tourism, with Mangaluru serving as a gateway to popular coastal destinations, temple towns, and hill regions of coastal and Malnad Karnataka.
Proposal for three daily Vande Bharat services
In his communication to the Union Railway Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao specifically requested the introduction of three Vande Bharat Express train services daily on the Mangaluru–Bengaluru route. He said this frequency would ensure flexibility and convenience for passengers with different travel needs.
Rao proposed that the Vande Bharat Express trains could depart from Mangaluru at 4 am, 10 am, and 6 pm, allowing passengers to travel to Bengaluru and return on the same day on all weekdays. Such a schedule, he said, would be particularly beneficial for business travellers, government officials, and professionals who require quick day trips.
“A quick daily train between Bengaluru and Mangaluru will feed the right fuel for the growth of Dakshina Kannada district,” Rao stated in his letter, underlining the developmental impact of improved rail connectivity.
Supporting regional development goals
The minister’s request aligns with broader regional development goals aimed at reducing travel bottlenecks and promoting balanced growth across Karnataka. He pointed out that while Bengaluru continues to attract significant investment and infrastructure development, regions like coastal Karnataka also require strong connectivity to fully integrate with the state’s economic framework.
Rao expressed hope that the Ministry of Railways would consider the proposal favourably, given the proven success of Vande Bharat Express services on other high-demand routes across the country. He said the popularity of these trains reflects the public’s growing preference for faster, safer, and more comfortable rail travel.
Conclusion
Mangaluru’s increasing role as an educational, healthcare, industrial, and commercial hub has intensified the demand for efficient transport links with Bengaluru. By urging the Centre to introduce multiple daily Vande Bharat Express services on the Mangaluru–Bengaluru route, Dinesh Gundu Rao has underscored the importance of modern rail infrastructure in driving regional growth.
If implemented, the proposal is expected to significantly improve connectivity, enhance passenger convenience, and contribute to the long-term economic development of Dakshina Kannada district and coastal Karnataka as a whole.