Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Hits the Tracks!
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train, promising a new era of overnight rail travel.
The long-awaited Bengaluru Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train is officially ready to roll. In a major boost to long-distance rail connectivity, the service is being inaugurated today at the Sir M Visvesvaraya Railway Station in Bengaluru, marking a significant shift toward more comfortable overnight journeys across India.
High-Profile Launch in Bengaluru
The inauguration ceremony is being led by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Joining him at the event are Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Minister of Steel HD Kumaraswamy, along with Minister of State for Railways V Somanna. The atmosphere at Platform No. 1 of the Sir M Visvesvaraya Railway Station is one of anticipation as final preparations are completed for the train's maiden departure.
Route and Schedule Details
The train, designated as number 27652, will connect the tech hub of Bengaluru with the financial capital, Mumbai. Here is everything you need to know about the operation:
- Departure: The train departs from SMVT Bengaluru at 19:45 hrs.
- Arrival: It reaches CSMT Mumbai at 11:55 hrs the following day.
- Frequency: The service will operate six days a week, with no service on Mondays.
Key Halts Along the Way
To ensure maximum connectivity for passengers, the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper will make eight strategic stops during its journey:
- Anantapur
- Guntakal
- Raichur
- Yadgir
- Kalaburagi
- Solapur
- Pune
- Kalyan
Expanding the Sleeper Network: Varanasi to New Delhi
The expansion of the Vande Bharat Sleeper fleet isn't limited to the south. Just a day prior, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off a new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express service connecting Varanasi and New Delhi.
This new corridor serves as a vital link for several urban centers. The Kashi-Delhi service will stop at Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh, and Ghaziabad before arriving in the national capital.
Varanasi-Delhi Timings
For those traveling between the spiritual capital and the political hub, the schedule is as follows:
- Varanasi to New Delhi: Departs at 20:50 and arrives at 06:10 the next morning.
- New Delhi to Varanasi: Departs at 21:40 and arrives at 07:10 the next morning.
A New Era of Overnight Travel
Indian Railways is aggressively pushing for a passenger-centric approach to long-distance travel. Following these launches and the upcoming Howrah-Guwahati corridor service slated for January 2026, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is designed to redefine the overnight experience.
Passengers can expect enhanced onboard amenities, advanced safety features, and thoughtfully designed sleeper accommodations, all aimed at making long-haul journeys more reliable and comfortable than ever before.