Just seeing this today!
As I'm not familiar with this MAQ-MAO Route, i prefer to stay away from above discussions, but I remember, there was a VB proposed by SR between MAQ-MAO(weekly 6 days) in IRTTC23.
So, there is possibility to say this news might get true.

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The present Dharwad VB with 545 dep from SBC can reach by Madgaon by 1400. 530 is too early in Benguluru weather being rainy cold and winter for 8 months except Feb to May which is summer and non season for tourists to Goa. The domestic tourists to Goa head to North Goa then to Madgoan or South Goa beaches and Madgaon to Panjim or Baga, Anjuna takes an hour. It is evident from the occupancy of VB and Tejas from Mumbai which 80% deboard and board at Thivim or Karmali. Moreover from Benguluru the traffic will only be on Friday and Sat and return on Sun. As the VB is being extended to Belgaum and trails conducted there is no chance of extention to Goa.

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Using 8+8 configuration its possible.It can be done at Londa Jn but until electrification is done no chance of consideration is possible

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Dharwad VB is already departing at 5:45 ; 15 mins will hardly make any difference. the same is the story for Delhi NCR people.. 6 AM shatabdis were too early for us specially during foggy winters .. but IR has compelled us to catch VB scheduled at 5:50 ... :( reacts only ! any thing before 7 AM is difficult to catch because of non availability of metro before 6 AM...

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Rather than having a VB coming to MAO via Braganza Ghats I would want decades old demands of Goans to get fulfilled like dedicated HYB VSG train, Miraj VSG exp, etc.

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