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The newly approved Vande Bharat Express sleeper train between Bengaluru and Mumbai may not run on its originally planned route. It was earlier expected to operate via the Miraj-Pune-Belagavi line, but it could be diverted through the Solapur-Guntakal route instead, which has upset many residents and railway activists.
Commuters' Complaints Regarding Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Route
People from Miraj and Sangli have raised complaints with the Prime Minister's Office and also written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. They have warned that they may protest if fewer trains are run through the Miraj route. They pointed out that nearly ₹15,000 crore has already been spent on upgrading and doubling the Pune-Miraj railway line, yet only about 15 trains run on it daily, which is much lower compared to other routes.
Activists' Opinions
Activists say that several important cities with strong economic activity lie along the Pune-Miraj-Belagavi-Hubli-Tumakuru route. They feel it is unfair that this route is being ignored while preference is being given to the Solapur-Guntakal route, and it has caused dissatisfaction among people in parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Satish Sakhalkar said the train was initially planned to pass through cities like Tumakuru, Davangere, Hubli, Belagavi, Miraj, Sangli, Satara, and Pune, which would have improved faster connectivity for many districts. However, he claimed that leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana pushed for the route to be changed. He also said that the upgraded railway line can support faster trains and much more traffic, but it is underused. Umesh Shah added that the Solapur route is already very busy, with over 150 trains daily, while the Pune-Sangli route remains underutilised.
Meanwhile, officials at Miraj station have said no final decision on the train's route has been announced yet.
