By July, the Vande Bharat Express would connect Hubballi and Dharwad in Karnataka.

By July 2023, Karnataka will get its second Vande Bharat Express, which will run on the Bengaluru-Hubballi-Dharwad route.

On May 31, Pralhad Joshi, the union minister for legislative affairs, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, the union minister for railways, met in New Delhi to talk about the launch of the semi-high-speed train that will link the twin cities with the IT capital.

Joshi, who is also the Dharwad-based MP, claimed that all requirements had been met for starting the railway service. "The second Vande Bharat train in the state would launch by July, according to the railways minister. The twin cities' citizens can soon anticipate taking this eagerly anticipated train ride, "added he.

Initially scheduled to launch in March 2023 on the Bengaluru-Hubballi-Dharwad route, the Vande Bharat Express was delayed due to the Traction Substation and the delay in electrification (down line) between Hubballi and Saunshi (TSS). The delay was also brought on by a lack of Vande Bharat rakes and the application of the election model code of conduct because of the assembly elections in Karnataka.

Earlier, a test run of the train on this route was planned for April 12 after the Bengaluru-Hubballi main line's electrification was finished on March 31, 2023.

This would be the second Vande Bharat Express in Karnataka after the Southern Railway established the first one on the Mysuru-Bengaluru-Chennai route in November 2022.

The South Western Railway's first rake will be the impending Vande Bharat Express (SWR). The implementation of Vande Bharat trains on routes like Bengaluru-Kacheguda in Hyderabad and Bengaluru-Coimbatore is also being considered by the railways.

Moreover, SWR has suggested that the 110 kmph maximum speed limit for trains travelling between Bengaluru and Hubballi be increased to 130 kmph.

Trains can run at an average speed of 110-120 kmph once the tracks have been reinforced to support speeds of 130-160 kmph. Vande Bharat trains are only allowed to travel at a maximum speed of 130 kmph, although reaching 180 kmph on test runs.