Indian Railways has approved a new premium overnight service, the Sleeper Vande Bharat, to connect Mumbai and Bengaluru. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the approval in a letter to Bengaluru Central MP P.C. Mohan. This service will be the second Sleeper Vande Bharat in India, following the Howrah-Kamakhya route.
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What are the route and travel timings
The train will run from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai to KSR Bengaluru. It is expected to pass through Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, and Raichur/Guntakal. The journey time will drop to around 13-16 hours, which is much faster than the current 21-23 hours taken by trains like Udyan Express.
What are the features and expected fares
The train will have 16 air-conditioned sleeper coaches with a total capacity of 823 passengers. It can reach speeds of 180 km/h and includes the Kavach anti-collision system for safety. Passengers will get individual reading lights, charging points, and modern toilets.
| Class | Estimated Fare | Included |
|---|---|---|
| AC 3-Tier | Rs 2,500 | Meals |
| First AC | Rs 3,900 | Meals |
When will the service start
While the official date is not yet announced, reports suggest the service could start by late July 2026. The Railway Minister mentioned that 12 such sleeper trains will be rolled out by December 2026. This train will operate as an additional fast option and will not replace the existing Udyan Express.