In a landmark development for rail travel in India, the eagerly awaited Vande Bharat Express is poised to connect the tech hubs of Bengaluru and Hyderabad, significantly reducing travel time and enhancing the overall commuting experience. Operated by the South Central Railway, this high-speed train is set to bridge the gap between these two bustling cities, offering faster and more comfortable journeys for tech professionals, businesspeople, and students alike.
Cutting-Edge Connectivity: According to railway sources, the Vande Bharat Express will cover the 609.8 km distance between Bengaluru and Hyderabad in just eight hours and 30 minutes, boasting an impressive average speed of 71 kmph. This reduction in travel time is expected to be a game-changer for commuters frequently traveling between these two major tech centers.
Detailed Schedule: The train’s schedule has been meticulously planned for the convenience of passengers. Train no. 20704 (Yeswantpur – Kacheguda) will depart from Yeswantpur at 2:45 pm and arrive at Kacheguda at 11:15 pm. On the return journey, Train no. 20703 (Kacheguda – Yeswantpur) will leave Kacheguda at 5:30 am and reach Yeswantpur at 2 pm. Additionally, the Vande Bharat Express will make stopovers at key stations including Mahbubnagar, Kurnool City, Anantapur, and Dharmavaram.
Revolutionizing Rail Travel: The introduction of this high-speed train is set to revolutionize rail travel between Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Currently, the average travel time by train on this route ranges from 10 to 13 hours, with the fastest train, the Yeswantpur-Delhi Duronto Express, taking nine hours. With the Vande Bharat Express, this travel time will be slashed significantly, offering passengers a faster and more comfortable journey.
Future Prospects: While this development is undoubtedly welcome, some rail enthusiasts have expressed a desire for the train to run via Raichur and make additional stops in Karnataka. However, the train’s current tentative stoppage list does not include any stops within the state apart from the terminal station at Yesvantpur.
Inauguration and Future Plans: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate nine Vande Bharat trains on various routes, including the Bengaluru (Yeswantpur) – Hyderabad (Kacheguda) route, on September 24. However, railway officials have noted that the schedule has not yet been officially confirmed.
Impressive Trial Run: In a recent trial run, the Kacheguda-Yesvantpur Vande Bharat Express achieved a maximum speed of 110 kmph, showcasing its potential for rapid travel. The train exceeded expectations by reaching Yesvantpur almost 20-30 minutes ahead of the scheduled arrival time. This impressive feat was made possible by maintaining a speed of over 100 kmph between Dharmavaram and Yesvantpur.
Enhanced Connectivity: The Vande Bharat Express is expected to cover a distance of 609.81 km in just 8 hours and 30 minutes, which is one to two hours less than the existing trains running between Bengaluru and Hyderabad. However, it’s worth noting that, according to the tentative stoppage list, the express train does not have any stops in Karnataka apart from the terminal station of Yesvantpur. This has left some rail enthusiasts disappointed, as they had hoped for stops in places like Raichur and Yelahanka.
Ticket Fares and Frequency: The railway ministry has yet to announce ticket fares for the Vande Bharat train. The train, equipped with seven chair car coaches and one executive car coach, is expected to run six days a week, excluding Wednesdays.
Upon its launch, the Vande Bharat Express will become the third such service in Karnataka, following the Mysuru-Bengaluru-Chennai and Bengaluru-Hubballi-Dharwad routes.
The imminent launch of the Vande Bharat Express on the Bengaluru-Hyderabad route heralds a significant advancement in Indian rail travel. As it ushers in faster and more convenient connectivity between these two thriving tech cities, it promises to reshape the way commuters traverse this vital corridor.
