Modi Approves Northern Bullet Train & New Vande Bharat Sleeper
PM Modi approves the Northern Bullet Train Corridor from Delhi to Guwahati. Also, the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper service has launched.
In a monumental leap for India's rail infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially approved the Northern Bullet Train Corridor. This ambitious project is set to redefine high-speed travel across the nation. Simultaneously, the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express has been launched, providing a premium overnight connection between the country's IT hub and its financial capital.
Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Service Begins
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the inaugural Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on November 1, 2026, from the Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Bengaluru. The Prime Minister hailed the service as a 'game-changer' for regional connectivity, bridging major urban centers with efficient transit.
- Train No. 27652 (Bengaluru to Mumbai): Departs SMVT Bengaluru at 7:45 PM and reaches CSMT, Mumbai, at 11:55 AM the following day.
- Train No. 27651 (Mumbai to Bengaluru): Departs Mumbai at 8:10 PM and arrives in Bengaluru at 12:00 PM.
- Service Details: The train operates with a 16-coach rake six days a week.
The service includes scheduled stops at Hindupur, Dharmavaram, Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Krishna, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune, and Kalyan.
The Northern Bullet Train Corridor: Delhi to Guwahati
The government's approval of the Northern Corridor marks a massive expansion of high-speed rail. This route will originate in Delhi and traverse through several major cities, including Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Patna, and Siliguri, eventually reaching Guwahati in Assam.
The project aims to drastically cut travel times for commuters. For instance, the journey between Delhi and Agra is projected to take just 59 minutes, while the trip from Delhi to Kanpur is expected to be completed in only 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Future High-Speed Links and Global Exports
Beyond the northern route, the Ministry of Railways is actively developing a 'south corridor' to connect Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Amaravati, and Chennai, alongside a dedicated Bengaluru–Pune high-speed line.
Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also reviewed the progress of the indigenous 'B28' high-speed trainset at the BEML facility in Bengaluru. This cutting-edge technology is being designed to achieve speeds of up to 280 kmph. Furthermore, India has commenced the export of Vande Bharat components and propulsion systems, with plans to begin exporting fully completed trainsets within the next four years.