It’s been 11 months since the successful trial run of the Vande Bharat Express from Bengaluru to Belagavi. Still, the citizens of Belagavi continue to wait in vain for the promised service. On November 21, 2023, the sleek, eight-coach Vande Bharat train debuted on this route, clocking at a maximum speed of 110 kmph. The train departed from KSR Bengaluru at 5:45 AM and arrived in Belagavi at 1:40 PM. The return journey saw it leaving Belagavi at 2 PM and arriving back in Bengaluru at 10:10 PM, with the travel time from Dharwad to Belagavi clocking approximately 2 hours to 2 hours 10 minutes.
The successful trial generated significant excitement among the people of Belagavi, who had long awaited a high-speed, comfortable rail service that would connect them more efficiently to the state capital. Yet, despite the seamless trial, the much-anticipated extension of the Bengaluru-Dharwad Vande Bharat Express to Belagavi has failed to materialize, leaving the people of the region feeling deeply betrayed.
Promises were made—bold promises. But what has followed is a trail of inaction and empty assurances. Our elected representatives, it seems, are only capable of making requests and issuing hollow statements about the extension. These requests, whether truly heard or simply tossed aside, have yielded nothing concrete. While the Pune-Hubballi Vande Bharat runs successfully on a similar route, the extension from Dharwad to Belagavi has been mysteriously stuck in an endless loop of delays and bureaucratic hurdles.
The people of Belagavi cannot help but ask: Why are we always left behind? Is it so difficult to extend a train by a few hours to a region that so desperately needs it? The travel time between Dharwad and Belagavi is a mere 2 hours, as proven during the trial run. The operational infrastructure already exists. And yet, the people of this city are left with promises instead of action. How long will we remain dependent on outdated, slower alternatives when modern solutions lie just out of reach?
The trial run last year was more than just a technical test—it was a symbol of hope for Belagavi, a region that has long been overlooked in terms of connectivity and development. But as time drags on, that hope has turned into frustration, and frustration into anger. Belagavi feels abandoned. A city that has contributed so much to the state and the nation should not have to fight for basic infrastructure.
We, the people of Belagavi, are demanding answers. We are demanding accountability. Our representatives must do more than just make requests—they must deliver results. It is time for action, not more excuses. It is high time that the authorities wake up and stop ignoring this vital extension.
As we await the Vande Bharat’s return to Belagavi, we cannot help but wonder if our concerns will ever be taken seriously. Or will this too, like so many other promises made to this city, end up in the dustbin of history?
Belagavi deserves better. We deserve better.