Mangaluru to Get Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Soon, Says Union Minister Somanna

Mangaluru to Get Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Soon, Says Union Minister Somanna

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, April 13, 2025: Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, V Somanna, announced on Saturday that Mangaluru will soon receive a Vande Bharat sleeper train service. Speaking at the Mangaluru Central Railway Station after flagging off the extended Mangaluru Central–Kabaka Puttur passenger train to Subrahmanya Road, the minister said the new sleeper coaches are expected to be introduced within the next two months.

 

"In the next one and a half or two months, we will get Vande Bharat sleeper coaches. Mangaluru will also get it," said Somanna, indicating a major boost to the region’s railway infrastructure.

He also revealed that both Mangaluru Junction and Mangaluru Central railway stations are set for significant upgrades. A master plan has already been prepared for these developments, with tenders to be floated following a meeting with railway officials in Delhi. A sum of ₹19 crore has been sanctioned for the development of Mangaluru Junction, with 85% of the work already completed. The remaining work is expected to be wrapped up by August.

The redevelopment of Mangaluru Central Railway Station is slated to be completed within two years after the tender process. Meanwhile, Subrahmanya Road Railway Station is being developed under the Amrit Bharat scheme and is expected to be ready by September. The station will be equipped with an escalator to assist senior citizens and differently-abled devotees visiting the nearby Kukke Subrahmanya Temple. A MEMU train will also be introduced at Subrahmanya once related infrastructure work is finished.

Highlighting the government’s broader railway initiatives, Somanna stated that 41 railway stations across the country have been developed at a cost of ₹2,000 crore. As a key safety initiative, Indian Railways is implementing 10,000 km of the Kavach automatic train protection system to prevent accidents caused by human error. Of this, 1,800 km will cover routes in Karnataka.

The Minister also assured that the necessary Road Over Bridges (RoBs) and Road Under Bridges (RuBs) for Dakshina Kannada district will be sanctioned once the project reports are received.

Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta welcomed the extension of the train service to Subrahmanya Road and suggested that, following electrification, the service be upgraded to a MEMU train. He urged the Union Ministries of Railways and Road Transport to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the development of the Mangaluru–Bengaluru route via Shiradi Ghat. Chowta also called for improved coordination between local railway divisions by appointing a dedicated officer to convene regular meetings to address local issues.

Assembly Speaker U T Khader emphasized the importance of transportation and communication in regional development. He noted that the train extension would significantly benefit pilgrims visiting Kukke Subrahmanya. Khader also urged authorities to ensure that alternative arrangements are made before closing any level crossings for safety purposes. “We need to work unitedly for the development of the region,” he said.