In a déjà vu-inducing development that no longer surprises anyone in Belagavi, yet another “review meeting” was held (April 8, 2025)– this time by newly elected Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar with the General Manager of South Western Railways in Hubballi. And guess what? The script was painfully familiar.
When the ever-persistent question about the extension of the Bengaluru–Dharwad Vande Bharat Express to Belagavi came up, the answer was – hold your breath – “The proposal has been sent to the Railway Board and will be approved soon.”
Wait, haven’t we heard this before?
- June 2023: “Proposal sent, will be approved soon.”
- September 2023: “Still with Railway Board, approval expected soon.”
- November 2023: “Trial run successful. Just waiting for final approval.”
- January 2024: “Proposal under active consideration.”
- April 2025: “Proposal sent again. Hopefully approved… soon.”
It’s almost as if the reply itself has a confirmed reservation on the Vande Bharat — it keeps coming back on time, every time, without fail — unlike the train.
At this point, Belagavi’s citizens don’t even need to read press releases. We could literally cut-paste last year’s report, change the date, and voilà — instant update.
Despite the much-hyped trial run in November 2023, where the gleaming blue-and-white train actually graced Belagavi with its presence, the project seems stuck at a platform called “Proposed” — with no signs of departure to “Implemented.”
And what about the track doubling? Done.
Electrification? Done.
Trial run? Done.
What’s left? Just the elusive “green signal from the Railway Board,” which apparently travels by bullock cart, considering how slow it’s moving.
Meanwhile, other cities get new trains, new routes, even new rakes. Belagavi? We get meetings, proposals, and platitudes — served hot every few months.
So here’s a modest proposal for the Railways: why not rename the train as “Vande Bharat (Almost Belagavi)” or better yet, “Vande Board Approval Express”?
At least then, the name would reflect the reality.
Till then, Belagavi will continue to be on track — the waiting track.