While the much expected express train to Mangaluru did not get any timeline, officials made a snap announcement that Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has agreed to extend the Mysuru-Shravanabelagola train to Bengaluru.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Sridhar Murthy said the passenger train (number 56215/6) will run up to Yeshwantpur and return in the same direction.

However, no other details, including timings, were available on Sunday. The rail minister said the proposed express train to Mangaluru sanctioned by his predecessor D V Sadananda Gowda, will run within a few months.

Though the minister did not specify any date, he agreed to name the train as ‘Gommateshwara Express’ following a request by Deve Gowda. Interestingly, the train has been called as Kudla Express ever since it was sanctioned in the budget.

At present, it takes 12 hours to reach Mangaluru from Bengaluru by train. The Gommateshwara Express, which will run on the new route via Kunigal, is expected to cut about three hours of travel time. Deve Gowda has proposed two names — Hasanamba Express and Hemavathi express — for the superfast train between Yeshwantpur and Hassan. Railway officials said they will take a call after further discussions.