Indian Railways approved the operation of a new Vande Bharat Sleeper train service between Bengaluru and Mumbai on April 11, 2026. This train will offer a new way for passengers to travel overnight between these two major cities. The decision comes after the first sleeper train started service on the Howrah-Kamakhya route in January 2026. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw gave the green light for this project to improve long-distance connectivity.
Route details for Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper
The upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper service will run between KSR Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai. This will be the second sleeper train of its kind in India. The South Western Railway zone will look after the maintenance and running of this train. Member of Parliament PC Mohan shared the news after receiving an official letter from the Railway Minister. These trains are built for long distances ranging from 800 km to 1,500 km.
Future plans and modern features of the sleeper trains
The railway ministry has a plan to build 260 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains in the coming years. These trains come with modern safety systems like Kavach and have automatic doors for better security. The interiors are designed with comfortable berths and noise reduction technology to help passengers sleep better during the night journey. By December 2026, about 12 such trains are expected to be ready for different routes across the country.
| Project Detail | Official Information |
|---|---|
| First Route | Howrah-Kamakhya |
| Approval Date | April 11, 2026 |
| Total Trainsets Planned | 260 Trains |
| Manufacturer | BEML and ICF Chennai |
| Consortium Partners | Kinet Railway Systems, Titagarh, and BHEL |
| Operating Zone | South Western Railway (SWR) |