Bengaluru, November 1, 2026: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday flagged off the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express from Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Bengaluru, marking a significant development in India’s railway connectivity. The new overnight service is expected to reduce travel time between the two major cities to approximately 16 hours while offering passengers improved comfort and modern facilities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the inauguration, describing the service as another step towards strengthening rail connectivity from Bengaluru, India’s technology and innovation hub. In his message, the Prime Minister said the new train would be a game changer for connectivity between Bengaluru and Mumbai, two important economic centres of the country.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several Union ministers, including Pralhad Joshi, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Shobha Karandlaje and V. Somanna.
According to the Railway Minister, the service will establish a more convenient overnight connection between Bengaluru, a major IT and startup hub, and Mumbai, India’s financial capital. The route is also expected to improve connectivity for passengers travelling through northern Karnataka.
Travel Time to Reduce to Around 16 Hours
The Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will cover approximately 1,118 kilometres between Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai.
The journey is expected to take around 16 hours, significantly reducing travel time compared with several existing conventional train services, which generally take between 22 and 24 hours.
The regular service will operate under train numbers 27652 and 27651. The Bengaluru-to-Mumbai service will depart from SMVT Bengaluru at 7:45 pm and reach CSMT Mumbai at 11:55 am the following day.
In the return direction, the train will leave Mumbai at 8:10 pm and arrive in Bengaluru at 12 noon the next day.
The service will operate six days a week. The Bengaluru-Mumbai train will not run on Mondays, while the Mumbai-Bengaluru service will remain unavailable on Tuesdays. Regular operations are scheduled to begin from November 2 in the Mumbai-Bengaluru direction and November 3 in the Bengaluru-Mumbai direction.
Eight Stations to Connect Major Cities
The new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will pass through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, connecting several important railway stations along the route.
The eight scheduled stoppages are:
Anantapur
Guntakal
Raichur
Yadgir
Kalaburagi
Solapur
Pune
Kalyan
The route is particularly significant for northern Karnataka, where improved rail connectivity is expected to benefit passengers travelling for employment, education, business and other purposes.
Railway authorities have deployed two Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets for operations on the Bengaluru-Mumbai route.
Modern Facilities and Passenger Comfort
The 16-coach train has been designed to provide a comfortable overnight travel experience. It will offer three classes of accommodation: AC First Class, AC Two-Tier and AC Three-Tier.
The train will have a total passenger capacity of 823 berths, distributed across 11 AC Three-Tier coaches, four AC Two-Tier coaches and one First AC coach.
Some of its major features include:
Ergonomically designed sleeping berths with improved cushioning.
Automatic doors and vestibules.
Enhanced suspension for a smoother journey.
Integrated reading lights and mobile charging facilities.
GPS-based passenger information systems.
CCTV surveillance and fire detection systems.
Emergency communication and passenger safety facilities.
Modern bio-vacuum toilets and improved sanitation arrangements.
The train is designed for a maximum speed of up to 180 kmph, although its actual operating speed will depend on route infrastructure and railway operating conditions.
Expanding India’s Vande Bharat Network
The launch of the Bengaluru-Mumbai service reflects Indian Railways’ continued efforts to modernise long-distance passenger transportation and expand the Vande Bharat network.
Unlike the existing daytime Vande Bharat Express services, the sleeper variant is designed specifically for longer journeys, allowing passengers to travel overnight while accessing modern railway facilities.
The Bengaluru-Mumbai connection is expected to provide an additional option for passengers who regularly travel between Karnataka and Maharashtra. It may also strengthen economic and social links between the two major metropolitan regions.
With improved overnight connectivity, modern passenger amenities and reduced scheduled journey time, the new service represents another step in India’s ongoing railway modernisation programme.
The introduction of the train also highlights the growing focus on developing indigenous railway technology and improving the overall passenger experience across the country’s railway network.
