Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper service to start soon - Here's what Ashwini Vaishnaw said as he flags off new express train

Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday virtually flagged off a new express train connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai, while announcing that the much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper service between the two cities is expected to begin soon. The move is aimed at strengthening rail connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra and improving long-distance travel options for passengers.

Bengaluru-Mumbai express train route

The newly launched express train is expected to improve travel convenience for passengers commuting between Bengaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Pune and Mumbai. During the launch, Vaishnaw said, "long-standing rail connectivity demands from both South and North Karnataka are now being addressed."

According to the Railway Minister, the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train is also likely to start operations soon, offering faster and more comfortable overnight travel between the two major cities. The premium sleeper version of Vande Bharat is expected to modernise long-distance train journeys with improved passenger amenities and reduced travel time.

What is the Vande Bharat Sleeper service?

The Vande Bharat Sleeper is the long-distance overnight version of India’s semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains. Unlike the chair-car versions currently operating on shorter routes, the sleeper variant is designed for overnight journeys and comes with AC sleeper coaches, upgraded interiors and modern passenger facilities. India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper service began operations earlier this year on the Howrah-Kamakhya route.

Reports suggest the Bengaluru-Mumbai route could become the country’s second Vande Bharat Sleeper corridor, significantly improving connectivity on one of India’s busiest intercity travel routes.

Apart from the train launch, Vaishnaw also highlighted progress on several railway infrastructure projects in Karnataka, including suburban rail development, station redevelopment, electrification work and proposed high-speed rail corridors connecting Bengaluru with Hyderabad and Chennai.