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In a significant upgrade to intercity travel, Indian Railways is set to introduce a new direct bi-weekly express train service connecting Bengaluru, the bustling capital of Karnataka, with Mumbai, the financial hub of Maharashtra. This initiative is aimed at facilitating the growing travel demand and alleviating overcrowding on existing rail services between these two major cities.
The newly launched Train No. 16553/16554 SMVT Bengaluru–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Bi-Weekly Express is designed to enhance passenger connectivity and increase seat availability by addressing the heavy usage of the existing rail route. With constant travel demands resulting in full occupancy and long waiting periods during peak seasons, this new service is expected to offer commuters much-needed relief.
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This additional train service will cover a comprehensive route that connects not only Bengaluru and Mumbai but also several important urban centers across both states, including significant economic and educational hubs. Business travelers, tourists, students, and regular commuters will all benefit from this new option.
The first journey from Bengaluru’s Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal is set for May 23, followed by the inaugural return service from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai on May 24. Railway authorities view this new service as a part of their larger strategy to bolster passenger movement on one of India’s highest-volume railway corridors.
The train will depart from SMVT Bengaluru every Tuesday and Saturday at 8:35 PM, arriving in Mumbai around 8:40 PM the following day after an overnight journey. Conversely, the Mumbai to Bengaluru return service will operate every Wednesday and Sunday, leaving Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 11:15 PM and reaching Bengaluru around 10:30 PM the next evening.
During its journey, the train will stop at key stations including Sampige Road, Davanagere, Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Miraj, Sangli, Karad, Satara, Lonand, Pune, Lonavala, Karjat, Kalyan, and Thane. This route serves to enhance connectivity not just between the two major cities, but also among a diverse array of towns and centers in between, catering to significant commuter traffic driven by education, tourism, and local employment opportunities.
The demand for travel between Bengaluru and Mumbai has been increasing steadily, with many passengers experiencing challenges securing reservations on existing routes. The Udyaan Express, a popular choice among travelers, frequently sees extensive waiting lists, especially during long weekends and holiday seasons. The new service aims to mitigate these issues by providing additional travel options.
Yet, despite the introduction of this additional train, concerns surrounding long travel times remain prevalent. Currently, passengers typically endure over 23 hours of travel between Bengaluru and Mumbai, making this one of the longest intercity journeys across India. Recognizing this, there has been a growing clamor for faster trains along this corridor, prompting Indian Railways to consider high-speed and superfast service expansions in the future.
To address these aspirations, plans are underway for a Vande Bharat sleeper service that promises to cut travel time while enhancing passenger amenities with modern overnight facilities. With this initiative, railway officials aim to modernize travel along one of India’s busiest rail lines further.
In conjunction with the new service, South Western Railway has also finalized the regularization of nine temporarily operated train services into the main timetable. These include short-distance routes connecting towns such as Channapatna, Hassan, Bangarpet, and others, as well as an express service to Visakhapatnam.
The impending introduction of the Bengaluru-Mumbai direct rail service exemplifies Indian Railways’ commitment to improving intercity connectivity and support for rising travel demands across key railway corridors in the nation.
Source: The post Bengaluru and Mumbai To Receive New Direct Rail Link Amid Rising Travel Demand first appeared on www.travelandtourworld.com.
