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Kalaburagi-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express Marks 2 Years, 5.72 Lakh Passengers

The Kalaburagi-Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express has completed two years of service, significantly enhancing connectivity between the state capital and the Kalyana Karnataka region. Since its inauguration in March 2024, the train has carried over 5.72 lakh passengers, achieving an impressive occupancy rate exceeding 103%. It covers the 561 km distance in just 8 hours, saving travelers 2 to 4 hours compared to previous services. The service has bolstered economic, educational, and healthcare access while promoting tourism and pilgrimage in the region.

Key Points: Vande Bharat Express Completes 2 Years, 103% Occupancy

  • Carried 5.72 lakh passengers in two years
  • Achieved 103.52% occupancy in 2026
  • Reduces travel time by 2-4 hours
  • Connects Bengaluru to Kalyana Karnataka region
2 min read

Kalaburagi-SMVT Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express completes 2 years of service, carries over 5.72 lakh passengers with 103.52% occupancy

The Kalaburagi-SMVT Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express completes two successful years, carrying over 5.72 lakh passengers with over 103% occupancy.

"The completion of two successful years... stands as a testament to Indian Railways' commitment towards modernisation, passenger comfort, speed, safety and sustainable transportation - Official Release"

Kalaburagi, March 12

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express has completed two years of dedicated service to passengers of the region on 12th March 2026, marking a significant milestone in modern rail connectivity and passenger comfort.

The service was inaugurated and flagged off by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conferencing on March 12 2024. It was launched to enhance fast and world-class rail connectivity between Karnataka's capital and IT hub Bengaluru and Kalyana Karnataka region's Kalaburagi.

It has significantly enhanced fast and comfortable connectivity between the Kalyana Karnataka region and the state capital. The train has reduced travel time and enabled convenient journeys, benefiting business travellers, officials, students and working professionals. Over the past two years, it has strengthened economic, educational and healthcare access to Bengaluru, supporting trade between the IT hub and North Karnataka markets while also facilitating faster medical travel for patients. The service has improved regional connectivity for important towns such as Kalaburagi, Yadgir and Raichur, while also promoting pilgrimage and tourism by providing easier access to destinations like Mantralayam and Puttaparthi (via Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam).

Train Nos. 22231/22232 Kalaburagi-SMVT Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express covers a distance of 561 km in just 8 hours, as compared to 10 to 12 hours by the existing superfast services, thereby saving approximately 2 to 4 hours of travel time. At present, the train operates six days a week with stoppages at Yadgir, Raichur, Manthralayam Road, Guntakalam, Anantapur, Sai P Nilayam and Yelahanka.

The train with an 8-coach Vande Bharat train set offers a total seating capacity of 452 seats, comprising 400 Chair Car (CC) seats and 52 Executive Chair Car (EC) seats. The immense popularity of the train is reflected in its remarkable performance, having carried a combined total of 5,72,566 passengers till February 2026 with an impressive occupancy of 103.52% in the year 2026.

The completion of two successful years of service by the Kalaburagi-SMVT Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express stands as a testament to Indian Railways' commitment towards modernisation, passenger comfort, speed, safety and sustainable transportation, while significantly contributing to regional development and national connectivity.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
103.52% occupancy says it all! People are voting with their tickets. The time saved is a huge boost for business. Hope they consider adding more coaches or frequency soon to meet the demand.
D
David E
Impressive stats. The connectivity boost for healthcare and education mentioned in the article is the real win. Faster access to Bengaluru's hospitals and colleges can transform lives in North Karnataka.
A
Aman W
Good service, but the pricing is still on the higher side for many common people. Wish there was a dynamic pricing model or some subsidized quotas for students and senior citizens from the region.
S
Shreya B
Used it for a pilgrimage to Mantralayam. The convenience is unmatched. Clean, on-time, and the staff is courteous. This is the future of Indian Railways. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
K
Karthik V
The economic integration angle is crucial. Easier movement of people means better trade and opportunities. Hope this model is replicated to connect all state capitals with major districts swiftly.

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