Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper To Start This Month: 16-Hour Journey, Pune Stop And 6-Day Service
India’s Second Vande Bharat Sleeper Is Coming Soon
The much-awaited Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train is expected to begin operations later this month, giving passengers a significantly faster overnight rail connection between two of India’s biggest cities.
The Railway Board has approved the service between KSR Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai. The final launch date and timetable are yet to be officially announced.
Bengaluru-Mumbai Journey In Under 16 Hours
The new sleeper train is expected to complete the journey in less than 16 hours, a major improvement over existing direct rail services.
At present, the Udyan Express is the only daily direct train between Bengaluru and Mumbai and takes around 24 hours on average.
The proposed Vande Bharat Sleeper will therefore cut several hours from the journey while providing an overnight travel option.
Train To Run Six Days A Week
The service is planned to operate six days a week in both directions.
The Bengaluru-Mumbai service is expected to leave Bengaluru at around 10 pm and reach Mumbai CSMT at approximately 1:50 pm the following day.
In the opposite direction, the train could depart Mumbai at 10:30 pm and arrive in Bengaluru at around 2:50 pm the next day.
However, these timings are still tentative and could change before the official launch.
Pune To Get A Stop
Passengers from Maharashtra will benefit significantly from the new service as Pune is among the proposed stops.
The train is expected to halt at Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune and Kalyan.
Interestingly, the train will not pass through Hubballi.
Pune and Solapur have also been identified for watering and other terminal-related requirements for the service.
Two Vande Bharat Sleeper Trainsets To Be Used
The Railway Board has approved the use of two Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets for the route.
A 16-coach configuration is expected, with sleeper accommodation designed for long-distance overnight journeys. The train will offer a mix of AC three-tier, AC two-tier and first AC accommodation.
Modern passenger features are expected to include automatic sliding doors, CCTV surveillance, bio-vacuum toilets, onboard catering, digital information displays, charging points and sensor-based water facilities.
Kavach Safety System Included
The train will also be equipped with the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system.
An emergency talk-back facility will allow passengers to communicate with railway staff in case of an emergency.
A Major Upgrade For Bengaluru-Mumbai Travel
The Bengaluru-Mumbai route has long lacked a premium, high-speed direct rail service despite strong passenger demand.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper could change that by combining overnight travel with significantly reduced journey time.
If the proposed schedule is implemented, passengers will be able to board at night, sleep during the journey and reach their destination the following afternoon.
With the launch expected later this month, travellers are now waiting for the Railway Board to announce the final date, timetable and ticket booking details.
Summary
The Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to launch later this month, offering a journey of under 16 hours compared with around 24 hours on the Udyan Express. The train is planned to run six days a week and will stop at Pune, Solapur, Kalyan, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Guntakal and Anantapur. Final timings, fares and the launch date are yet to be confirmed.
