Pralhad Joshi Secures Gol Gumbaz Express Reroute via Gadag Bypass
Synopsis
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that the Gol Gumbaz Express (trains 16535/16536) on the Mysuru–Pandharpur route will be rerouted via Gadag Bypass and Hubballi South, responding to a long-pending demand from Bijapur and Bagalkote MPs and thousands of North Karnataka residents.
Key Takeaways
The Gol Gumbaz Express (Train Nos.
16535 and 16536 ) will be rerouted via Gadag Bypass and Hubballi South , replacing existing halts at Gadag and Hubballi stations.
BJP MPs Ramesh Jigajinagi (Bijapur) and PC Gaddigoudar (Bagalkote) formally requested the rerouting on behalf of local residents.
Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi escalated the demand to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw , who approved the change.
The new route will come into effect after the current Advance Reservation Period (ARP) dates lapse, protecting existing bookings.
The train connects Mysuru and Bengaluru in Karnataka with Pandharpur in Maharashtra, a key pilgrimage route.
The decision is part of a broader South Western Railway strategy of route rationalisation to serve underserved North Karnataka corridors.
Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi announced on Friday, 19 June 2026 that the Gol Gumbaz Express (Train Nos. 16535 and 16536) running between Mysuru and Pandharpur will be rerouted via the Gadag Bypass and Hubballi South, fulfilling a long-standing demand of residents in the Bijapur and Gadag regions of North Karnataka.
Context
BJP MP from Bijapur, Ramesh Jigajinagi, and BJP MP from Bagalkote, PC Gaddigoudar, had formally requested that the Gol Gumbaz Express be diverted from its existing path through Gadag and Hubballi stations to instead pass through the Gadag Bypass and Hubballi South. Minister Joshi, representing the Dharwad constituency, subsequently took up the matter with Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In his post, Joshi wrote in Kannada: 'ee manaviyannu puraskarisuvaṃte nānu kendra raylve sacivara āda Śrī Aśvini Vaiṣṇav avartige kōridenu' — ('I had requested Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to honour this demand'). The Railways Ministry has since approved the change.
Policy Backdrop
The revised route will take effect after the current Advance Reservation Period (ARP) dates for existing bookings have lapsed, ensuring that passengers who have already booked under the old alignment are not inconvenienced. The change replaces the train's existing halts at Gadag station and Hubballi station with the Gadag Bypass and Hubballi South alignments.
Indian Railways has pursued a broader strategy of route rationalisation and bypass alignments in Karnataka under the South Western Railway zone. Such adjustments allow existing express services to serve newer or underserved corridors without requiring the construction of entirely new lines, making them a cost-effective response to parliamentary representations.
Stakeholders and Impact
The rerouting is expected to benefit thousands of rail passengers in the Bijapur and Gadag districts who currently lack a direct train connection on this corridor. The Mysuru–Bengaluru–Pandharpur Gol Gumbaz Express is a key inter-state link connecting Karnataka with Pandharpur in Maharashtra, a major pilgrimage destination.
Minister Joshi credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Minister of State for Railways V Somanna for responding to the appeal and facilitating the route change. The decision reflects a pattern of targeted adjustments to existing rail services in response to local and parliamentary demand in North Karnataka.
What's Next
The revised timetable for trains 16535/16536 is expected to be confirmed once the advance reservation window for existing bookings closes. Commuters and regular passengers on the Mysuru–Pandharpur route are advised to check updated schedules before booking. Any subsequent requests for additional stops or increased frequency on the new alignment will likely follow through similar parliamentary channels.
Point of View
The party demonstrates a coordinated approach to visible public goods — particularly useful ahead of any electoral cycle in North Karnataka. The move also underscores Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's responsiveness to South Western Railway zone requests, which has become a hallmark of the current rail ministry's political communication. For residents of Bijapur and Gadag, the change is less about new infrastructure and more about making existing assets work harder for underserved communities.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new route of the Gol Gumbaz Express?
The Gol Gumbaz Express (trains 16535 and 16536) will now run via the Gadag Bypass and Hubballi South instead of halting at Gadag station and Hubballi station on its Mysuru–Pandharpur route.
When will the new Gol Gumbaz Express route start?
The revised route will begin after the current Advance Reservation Period (ARP) dates for existing bookings have passed. An exact start date has not been officially confirmed yet.
Who requested the rerouting of the Gol Gumbaz Express?
BJP MPs Ramesh Jigajinagi (Bijapur) and PC Gaddigoudar (Bagalkote) formally requested the rerouting. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi then took up the matter with Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Which trains are affected by the Gadag Bypass rerouting?
Train No. 16535 (Mysuru to Pandharpur) and Train No. 16536 (Pandharpur to Mysuru), both known as the Gol Gumbaz Express, are the trains whose routes have been changed.
What is the Gadag Bypass in Karnataka railways?
The Gadag Bypass is a newer railway alignment in North Karnataka that allows trains to serve the Bijapur and Gadag region without stopping at the main Gadag station, improving connectivity for residents of the bypass corridor.
