MP requests Vande Bharat Express extension to Mumbai

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary has asked Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to extend the Mangaluru Central-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express service to Mumbai. He met with the Minister in New Delhi on March 16, 2025, to discuss the matter. Poojary expressed concern that the train service may be canceled due to low ridership. He noted that since its launch on December 30, 2023, the service has been running with less than 50% occupancy on average. To support his case, he presented an economic survey report about the Mangaluru-Udupi region. During the meeting, Vaishnaw instructed officials not to cancel the service immediately and to explore the possibility of extending it to Mumbai. Poojary mentioned that the Vande Bharat Express could continue to operate in its current form until a sleeper version is introduced. Local railway advocacy groups have also requested the extension to Mumbai. Previous requests for this extension have been made by former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, highlighting the demand for a daytime train between the two cities. He had also suggested stops at Mookambika Road Byndoor and Kumta.