The Union government, represented by Minister of State for Railways V Somanna, is considering merging Konkan Railways with Indian Railways to enhance passenger services across multiple states. Somanna announced this plan during a ceremony welcoming the new Pune-Hubballi Vande Bharat train in Belagavi, emphasizing the need for improved services as current offerings are inadequate for growing demand. Discussions have already occurred with the governments of Karnataka, Kerala, and Goa, while gaining support from Maharashtra remains crucial before formal merger proceedings can begin. The proposed merger aims to integrate the extensive Konkan Railway network, which spans from Maharashtra to Kerala, thereby improving operational efficiency. Additionally, Somanna assured that a new Vande Bharat service connecting Belagavi and Bengaluru would be introduced soon, amidst ongoing discussions for other railway projects in the region.