Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Set to Launch on November 1, Promising Reduced Journey Time and Competitive Fares
Indian Railways is set to launch its second Vande Bharat sleeper train service, with a special inaugural run planned for November 1, coinciding with Karnataka Rajyotsava. The new Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will be flagged off by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This service will be the first of its kind in southern India, although the date for regular commercial operations has yet to be announced.
Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: Likely Timings and Fare
The train, expected to be numbered 27651/27652, will consist of 16 coaches, including 11 AC three-tier, four AC two-tier, and one AC first-class coach, providing a total of 823 berths. Ticket prices for the 1,118-km journey are anticipated to range from Rs 2,600 to Rs 4,250, depending on the class selected. Final fare details are still pending from railway authorities.
Initial reports suggest that the train may depart KSR Bengaluru at 10 PM, arriving at Mumbai’s CSMT at 1:50 PM the next day. On the return trip, it could leave CSMT at 10:30 PM and reach Bengaluru at 2:50 PM. However, these timings have not been finalized. The new service is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Mumbai, a route currently served by the Udyan Express, which takes about 24 hours. The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express aims to complete the journey in approximately 16 hours. The planned route will cover Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur, and Kalyan before reaching Mumbai.
What Sets the Vande Bharat Sleeper Apart?
The Vande Bharat sleeper train features a 16-coach configuration, designed for speeds up to 160 kmph, with a maximum testing speed of 180 kmph. Despite its semi-high-speed classification, much of the Indian Railways network lacks the infrastructure to support such speeds. The train promises a superior travel experience compared to the Rajdhani Express, with design elements inspired by European trains, including cushioned berths for enhanced overnight comfort.
The onboard experience is enhanced with several modern amenities, such as dedicated night lights, a public announcement system with visual displays, CCTV surveillance, and modular pantry units. The train is equipped with bio-vacuum toilets similar to those found in aircraft, and it includes a separate toilet for passengers with disabilities, featuring a baby care station. AC First Class passengers will have access to showers with hot water.
Safety features include the indigenous KAVACH anti-collision system and regenerative braking technology. The train also boasts automatic doors, fully sealed gangways for cleanliness and temperature control, individual reading lights, charging points, and refreshment tables in each coach. The design incorporates GFRP panels for the interiors, and the doors are engineered to open automatically at designated stations. Additionally, a Centralised Coach Monitoring System and an emergency communication facility allow passengers to contact the driver directly when needed. Separately, the Integral Coach Factory is developing its own version of the Vande Bharat sleeper train.
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