The people of Belagavi have waited long enough for the promised extension of the Vande Bharat Express to their city, only to be met with silence and delays. While the region has seen the completion of doubling and electrification on critical sections of the Bengaluru-Miraj route, the much-anticipated high-speed Vande Bharat service continues to remain a distant dream for Belagavi. It is high time our elected representatives take a stand and demand what is rightfully ours: a Jan Shatabdi or similar fast train service that the common man can afford.
The Vande Bharat Express, while hailed as a modern marvel, is not the solution for every traveler. Its limited seating, premium pricing, and elusive schedule mean that it serves only a narrow segment of passengers. For the thousands of Belagavi citizens who travel to Bengaluru for work, education, healthcare, and family, an affordable and efficient alternative is essential. We cannot continue to rely on trains that take far longer than necessary when the infrastructure is in place for faster services.
The Jan Shatabdi Express, known for its speed, affordability, and comfort, has been a boon to many cities in India. A train like this, extended or newly launched from Belagavi to Bengaluru, would drastically cut travel time while being within reach of the common man’s pocket. This would not only reduce the burden on slower, overcrowded trains but also provide a solution that benefits all sections of society, not just a select few.
With the doubling and electrification of tracks between Belagavi and Bengaluru complete, there is no reason why Belagavi cannot be connected by faster trains. The travel time between Belagavi and Bengaluru can be significantly reduced with Jan Shatabdi or similar services, enabling more frequent and reliable transportation for the people. The Pune-Hubballi Vande Bharat has been running successfully, yet Belagavi continues to be neglected in terms of high-speed connectivity.
We ask our elected representatives: where is the urgency? Where are the voices advocating for Belagavi? Instead of empty promises about the Vande Bharat, which seems unlikely to arrive anytime soon, we urge our leaders to take immediate steps to extend existing services like the Jan Shatabdi or push for the introduction of new ones. This is not a demand for luxury; it is a demand for basic connectivity that Belagavi has long deserved.
The time is now for action. Belagavi has seen enough delays, broken promises, and hollow assurances. Our city is growing, our needs are evolving, and we deserve faster, more efficient train services. The completion of track doubling and electrification offers a golden opportunity to introduce these services—opportunity that must not be squandered.
We call upon our representatives to champion this cause. We need leaders who will stand up for Belagavi and demand practical solutions. We don’t need more rhetoric about the elusive Vande Bharat extension—we need real, tangible progress that benefits everyone.
Belagavi is ready for the next chapter in its journey. Are our leaders?