24 hours to under 16 hours: After 30 years of waiting, Mumbai-Bengaluru rail journey may get a major upgrade as second Vande Bharat sleeper set to launch this month

India is set to get its second Vande Bharat Sleeper train, with the proposed service connecting KSR Bengaluru with Mumbai CSMT. The Railway Board has approved the service and the train is expected to be introduced later this month, although the final launch date and timetable are yet to be announced. The overnight train is expected to bring down the rail travel time between Bengaluru and Mumbai to less than 16 hours, compared with around 24 hours taken by the Udyan Express, currently the only daily direct train between the two cities.

Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper: Expected travel time

The proposed Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to operate six days a week in both directions. As per the tentative schedule, the train could leave Bengaluru at around 10 pm and reach Mumbai CSMT at 1:50 pm the following day. In the opposite direction, it could depart Mumbai at around 10:30 pm and reach Bengaluru the next afternoon.

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The timings are not final and may change before the service officially begins.

The proposed service is expected to cover the Bengaluru-Mumbai journey in under 16 hours, potentially cutting several hours from the existing rail journey.

Vande Bharat Sleeper route: Check expected stops

Unlike some existing services, the proposed train will not travel via Hubballi. The planned route includes several stops across Karnataka and Maharashtra.

The expected halts are:

• Anantapur
• Guntakal
• Raichur
• Kalaburagi
• Solapur
• Pune
• Kalyan

The final stoppages and timetable will be confirmed by the Railways before regular operations begin.

Why Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper is important

Faster direct rail connectivity between Bengaluru and Mumbai has been a long-standing demand among passengers. Despite the importance of the two cities as major technology, business and financial centres, direct rail travel between them has traditionally taken a considerable amount of time.

The proposed sleeper service is aimed at providing an overnight alternative that allows passengers to travel between the two cities while sleeping and arrive the following day.

The Railway Board's move follows an earlier announcement by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw that a Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai would start soon.

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What is special about Vande Bharat Sleeper?

The Vande Bharat Sleeper has been designed specifically for longer overnight journeys, rather than the shorter daytime trips associated with existing Vande Bharat chair-car services.

The train consists of 16 coaches, including:

• 11 AC 3-tier coaches
• Four AC 2-tier coaches
• One AC First Class coach

The train is designed for speeds of up to 160 kmph, while its testing speed is higher. However, actual operating speeds will depend on the railway infrastructure and permissible speeds along individual sections of the route.

Vande Bharat Sleeper: Comfort features inside coaches

The sleeper version has been designed with features aimed at making overnight travel more comfortable.

The berths have been designed with improved cushioning, while changes to the upper-berth arrangement are intended to make climbing easier for passengers.

The coaches also feature individual reading lights, charging points and refreshment tables. Automatic interconnecting doors and sealed gangways are intended to improve passenger comfort and temperature control inside the train.

CCTV, KAVACH and other safety features

Safety technology is another key feature of the Vande Bharat Sleeper.

The train is equipped with the indigenous KAVACH anti-collision system, along with CCTV cameras and an emergency communication facility that allows passengers to contact the driver when necessary.

A Centralised Coach Monitoring System is also provided for monitoring various systems on the train.

The train uses regenerative braking technology, which helps recover energy during braking.

Vande Bharat Sleeper toilets and pantry facilities

The coaches feature modern bio-vacuum toilets designed to improve hygiene and reduce water usage.

A dedicated toilet for passengers with disabilities also includes a baby-care station. AC First Class passengers get an additional facility of shower-equipped toilets with hot water.

The train also has modular pantry facilities for serving refreshments during the journey.

When will Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper start?

The exact flag-off date has not yet been officially announced. Recent reports indicate that the service is likely to begin later in October, with railway zones instructed to make preparations for its early introduction.

Once operational, the Bengaluru-Mumbai service will become India's second Vande Bharat Sleeper after the first sleeper service between Howrah and Guwahati was introduced earlier this year.

The Railways is also working on its plans for further sleeper variants, as the Vande Bharat network expands to more long-distance routes.


Inputs from TOI