Indian Railways plans to launch a Vande Bharat Express between Vijayawada and Bengaluru, reducing travel time to nine hours, nearly three hours shorter than current timings. The train will mainly benefit pilgrims to Tirupati and other travellers.

Train number 20711 will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays, with eight coaches comprising seven air-conditioned chair cars and one executive chair car. It departs Vijayawada at 5:15, stopping at Tenali, Ongole, Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor, Katpadi, and Krishnarajapuram before reaching Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru at 14:15. The return journey leaves Bengaluru at 14:45.

Currently, the Kondaveedu Express runs thrice weekly on this route. Meanwhile, demand is rising for better rail connectivity between Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru, driven by tech professionals commuting between the two cities.

Fastest trains on this route, such as Anga Express and SMVT Bengaluru Superfast Express, take about seventeen hours, while the Prashanti Express now takes over 22 hours after its extension to Bhubaneswar. The absence of a dedicated direct train from Visakhapatnam to Bengaluru has led to calls for a sleeper-class Vande Bharat Express via Tirupati and Chennai.

This overnight train, capable of speeds up to 180 kilometres per hour, would offer enhanced comfort, shorter travel time, and ease congestion between north Andhra Pradesh and Bengaluru.

Source: Yo! Vizag