Indian Railways is planning to launch a new Vande Bharat train service connecting Mumbai and Mangaluru, aiming to reduce travel time to approximately 12 hours. This new route will merge the existing Mumbai-Goa and Mangaluru-Goa services to improve operational efficiency and increase passenger numbers. With this direct connection, Indian Railways expects to meet the growing demand for faster and more convenient travel between these two major cities.
The Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat service, which initially operated at around 90% capacity, has recently seen occupancy decline to approximately 70%. Meanwhile, the Mangaluru-Goa Vande Bharat struggles with an even lower occupancy rate of below 40%. By combining these routes, Indian Railways hopes to boost passenger numbers, optimise resources, and enhance the overall efficiency of the service. This move reflects the consistently strong demand for train services between Mumbai and Mangaluru, where trains often operate at full capacity.
According to the proposed schedule, the Mumbai-Mangaluru Vande Bharat will depart from Mumbai at 5:25 am, reach Goa by 1:10 pm, and arrive in Mangaluru around 6 pm. The return journey will leave Mangaluru at 8:30 am, arriving in Goa at 1:10 pm and reaching Mumbai by approximately 9 pm. However, there are concerns about potential scheduling conflicts due to platform congestion at Mumbai’s railway stations, particularly in the evening hours.
The initial plan to extend the Mangaluru-Goa route to Kozhikode was abandoned following opposition from Karnataka’s political leaders. Despite this setback, Indian Railways remains optimistic that the Mumbai-Mangaluru route will address the underutilisation of the Mangaluru-Goa service while meeting passenger demand. Officials believe that the direct connection between Mumbai and Mangaluru will be a game-changer, attracting more passengers and improving the financial viability of the route.
While logistical challenges remain, particularly around scheduling adjustments, Indian Railways is working on refining the plan to ensure smooth operations. If successfully implemented, the new Mumbai-Mangaluru Vande Bharat service promises to provide faster, more efficient travel for passengers. This initiative is part of Indian Railways’ broader commitment to enhancing passenger experiences and expanding high-speed train services across the country.