Bengaluru-Mumbai superfast train to launch by June end, to be converted into Vande Bharat Sleeper: Pralhad Joshi

New Delhi: Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has assured him that the much-awaited Bengaluru-Mumbai superfast train will be launched by the end of June this year.

Joshi, who met Vaishnaw here, said that this train will run via the central Karnataka route, passing through Tumakuru, Davanagere, Haveri, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Belagavi.

Joshi also said Vaishnaw agreed to upgrade the superfast train into a Vande Bharat Sleeper service in the coming days.

Joshi said he also discussed the redevelopment of Hubballi Railway Station along with plans to provide modern passenger facilities. He further raised the demand for a fresh survey of the Lokapur-Savadatti-Dharwad railway line. “The Union Railway Minister has responded positively to these points,” Joshi posted on X.

"The announcements are expected to significantly improve rail connectivity between Bengaluru and Mumbai while boosting infrastructure in the Hubballi-Dharwad region of Karnataka," Joshi posted.