Bengaluru-Mumbai Superfast Train via Hubballi-Dharwad Gets Green Signal

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has brought welcome news for passengers travelling between Bengaluru and Mumbai. After nearly three decades of anticipation, a new superfast train via Hubballi-Dharwad has been approved, fulfilling a long-pending demand from commuters and public representatives while reducing travel time from 23 hours to just 18.

The announcement came after Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and MP Prahlad Joshi submitted a request on 16 October 2025, urging the Railway Minister to introduce a new train service on the central Karnataka route. Joshi was joined by MPs Basavaraj Bommai, Jagadish Shettar and Tejasvi Surya during the request.

Until now for over 40 years, only the Udyan Express operated between Bengaluru and Mumbai through the Guntakal-Solapur route. According to railway officials, the train currently takes 21 hours and 50 minutes to travel from Mumbai to Bengaluru, stopping at 32 stations and maintaining an average speed of 52.1 km/h. On the return journey, it takes 23 hours and 35 minutes with 31 halts, averaging 48.2 km/h.

Officials attributed the prolonged travel time to several factors, including sectional speed limits, permanent speed restrictions, frequent stoppages, and other operational constraints.

To improve this connectivity and reduce travel time, the newly approved superfast train will run via Tumkur, Davangere, Haveri, Hubballi-Dharwad and Belgaum.

Expressing his gratitude, Prahlad Joshi thanked the Railway Minister for approving the new route. He said, "I had requested the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for this train, which was our long-standing demand. This service will benefit lakhs of passengers and significantly enhance trade between Karnataka and Maharashtra."

The new Bengaluru-Mumbai superfast train is expected to boost regional connectivity, facilitate faster travel, and strengthen economic links across the southern and western parts of India.