Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Soon? Railway Minister Gives Major Update

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday announced that the much-awaited Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper train service is expected to begin soon, promising faster travel and improved rail connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Speaking during the virtual flag-off of the SMVT Bengaluru-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express service, the minister said several long-pending railway demands from Karnataka are now being addressed through rapid railway infrastructure development and new train projects.

While Indian Railways is yet to officially announce the timetable and final route details, reports suggest the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper could reduce travel time to around 15 to 17 hours. Currently, most trains operating between the two cities take more than 21 hours to complete the journey.

The upcoming sleeper Vande Bharat train is expected to run via the Kalaburagi-Solapur route and may pass through major stations including KSR Bengaluru, Guntakal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur and Pune before reaching Mumbai. Reports indicate the service could have around six to eight major stoppages, although the final station list is yet to be confirmed officially.

Highlighting ongoing railway expansion in Karnataka, Vaishnaw said funding for railway projects in the state has increased significantly in recent years, helping accelerate project execution. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 61 railway stations are being redeveloped at a cost of Rs 2,160 crore, with redevelopment work already completed at nine stations.

He added that redevelopment work at Bengaluru Cantonment railway station is being carried out at Rs 485 crore, while Yeshwantpur Junction railway station is being upgraded at a cost of Rs 367 crore.

The Railway Minister also shared updates on the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, stating that work is progressing across all four corridors. Land acquisition has been completed for the Baiyappanahalli-Chikkabanavara and Heelalige-Rajanukunte corridors, while station construction work is underway.

According to Vaishnaw, the KSR Bengaluru-Devanahalli corridor alignment has received approval from both the Railways and the Karnataka government, while the Kengeri-Whitefield alignment has also been cleared and survey work will begin shortly.

He further stated that Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains, while testing on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route is underway to improve coastal connectivity up to Madgaon.

The minister also revealed that proposed bullet train corridors connecting Bengaluru with Hyderabad and Chennai have been approved as part of a long-term railway expansion vision connecting major Indian cities.