Karnataka Energy Minister K.J. George has requested Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to revise the timings of the Vande Bharat trains (22232/22231) operating between Bengaluru and Kalaburagi to better accommodate commuters. In a letter dated December 7 and released to the media on Monday (December 9), George highlighted the inconvenience caused by the current schedule.
The Karnataka minister pointed out that Train 22232 departs from Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (SMV) Terminal in Bengaluru at 2:40 pm, reaches Mantralayam Road Station at 8:20 pm, and arrives in Kalaburagi at 11:30 pm.
The minister, who also serves as the in-charge Minister for Chikkamagaluru District, explained that the current timing makes it difficult for devotees traveling to Mantralayam to attend the Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy darshan, which is held from 6 am to 8:30 pm daily.
As the train reaches Mantralayam Road Station too late, it is often impossible for devotees to reach the temple in time for darshan, which concludes by 8:30 pm.
George also pointed out that on the return journey, the train departs Kalaburagi at 5:15 am, reaching Mantralayam Road Station at 7:10 am, before arriving at SMV Terminal in Bengaluru at 2:00 pm. Since the darshan begins at 6 am, devotees are unable to board the train in time for their visit.
To resolve these issues, George suggested that the Vande Bharat train could depart from SMV Terminal at 7 am or 8 am instead of 2:40 pm, and from Kalaburagi at 8:30 am or 9 am instead of 5:15 am. This adjustment, he believes, would help facilitate smoother travel for devotees and increase patronage of the train service, potentially boosting revenue while reducing traffic congestion.
The minister said that such changes would make the train a preferred choice for devotees visiting Mantralayam, thereby benefiting both the railway department and local infrastructure.
“Also, devotees would prefer trains over their vehicles to visit Mantralayam for the darshan of Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy. This would bring more revenue to the department and reduce traffic congestion,” said the minister in his letter.