Railways plans new Vande Bharat train from Mumbai-Mangaluru
Mumbai: Indian Railways is planning to introduce a new Vande Bharat train service connecting Mumbai and Mangaluru.
According to Mathrabhumi, The plan involves merging the existing Mumbai-Goa and Mangaluru-Goa routes to create a direct service, allowing passengers to travel between Mumbai and Mangaluru in about 12 hours.
Currently, the Mumbai-Goa and Mangaluru-Goa Vande Bharat trains operate separately, with average passenger occupancy of around 70 percent.
However, the Mangaluru-Goa route has struggled with low demand, with occupancy below 40 percent. To improve efficiency and attract more passengers, Railways had initially considered extending the train to Kozhikode, but this idea was dropped due to opposition from political leaders in Karnataka.
The Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat train initially had a high occupancy rate of around 90 percent, but this has now reduced to about 70 percent. Railways believe that combining the two services into a single Mumbai-Mangaluru route will help increase demand and ensure full occupancy.
There has been strong demand for better train connectivity between Mumbai and Mangaluru, and this new service is expected to benefit passengers by offering a faster and more efficient travel option.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Palaniswami rules out power-sharing in TN with BJP after 2026 polls, contradicts NDA ally: Report
Chennai: Days after the AIADMK formally rejoined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) made it clear that no coalition government will be formed in Tamil Nadu following the 2026 Assembly elections, directly contradicting a recent assertion by senior BJP leader Amit Shah.
Palaniswami's remarks contradict Shah’s statement made in Chennai on April 11, where the Union Minister had said that a coalition government led by the AIADMK would soon come to power in the state.
Addressing reporters at the State Secretariat, EPS asserted that Shah’s remarks were being misinterpreted. “He didn’t say it would be a coalition government. You are misinterpreting and trying to play tricks. Please stop that,” Palaniswami was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.
Clarifying further, the former Chief Minister emphasised that Shah’s remarks merely indicated that the “AIADMK-BJP alliance” would form the government, and not that there would be a power-sharing arrangement. Palaniswami emphasised that while the alliance would be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the national level, it would be led by him in Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, senior AIADMK leaders told The Indian Express that EPS’s clarification was prompted by significant internal feedback. “There were several calls and feedback messages from our leaders and well-wishers who believed Shah’s speech hinted at some form of power-sharing. That’s why he had to say it clearly on Wednesday,” IE report quoted one party leader as saying.
Though the BJP has not issued an official response to EPS’s comments, party insiders reportedly said EPS’s stand was expected and no offence was taken.
