Minister for Large and Medium Industries MB Patil
After the completion of the 9.6 km long double-track railway between Almaty and Wandal, which was opened for traffic from March 25, Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil pushed for the introduction of the much-awaited express train service between Bengaluru and Vijayapura.
This would reduce the travel time between these cities to around 10 hours from the current 15.
Mr. Patil wrote to Railway Minister Ashwin Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways V. Somann on March 30 in this regard.
In the letter, he pointed out that the Almatti–Wandal section, which is part of the Gadag–Hotgi double line project, is now complete. During an earlier meeting, it was mentioned that once this work is over, an express train could be introduced between Bengaluru and Vijayapura. Now he asked that it take precedence.
He also asked that trains from Bengaluru to Vijayapura should have limited halts till Hubballi and be routed through Hubballi and Gadag bypass to reduce travel time.
Published – 01 April 2026 23:20 IST
