The much-anticipated Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper train is expected to begin operations on November 1, offering passengers a faster rail connection between the two major commercial centres. The inaugural special service is planned to coincide with Karnataka Rajyotsava Day, while the regular operating schedule will be announced separately, according to South Western Railway officials.
The train, numbered 27651/652, is proposed to run daily in both directions. From Mumbai, it is scheduled to depart Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) at 8.10 pm and arrive at Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Bengaluru at 11.55 am the following day. The return service is expected to leave SMVT Bengaluru at 7.50 pm and reach CSMT at 11.55 am the next morning.
The 16-coach train is expected to stop at nine stations: Dharmavaram, Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Wadi, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune and Kalyan. Railway authorities will confirm the final operational details and regular timetable after the inaugural run.
The launch was originally anticipated in October but was deferred amid elections to the Karnataka Legislative Council.
The new service is expected to bring down travel time to approximately 16 hours, compared with the roughly 24 hours taken by the existing Udyan Express. The latter has served as a key rail connection between Bengaluru and Mumbai for nearly four decades, while passengers have long sought a quicker alternative.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier announced plans for a Vande Bharat service on the route. In April, he also informed Bengaluru Central MP P.C. Mohan that approval had been granted for a sleeper train.
However, the choice of Bengaluru terminal remains a point of discussion. While the inaugural service is expected to operate from KSR Bengaluru to Mumbai, regular services are currently indicated to originate at SMVT Bengaluru.
Railway activist K.N. Krishnaprasad has suggested retaining KSR Bengaluru as the starting point or operating the train from Yeshwanthpur to improve accessibility for residents of north and central Bengaluru.
Source: Construction World
