Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express Launches with Overnight Service
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is scheduled to flag off the inaugural Vande Bharat Sleeper Express connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai on November 1, introducing a dedicated overnight transit service between Karnataka's technology center and Maharashtra's financial capital, according to reporting by NDTV. Departing from Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru (SMVT Bengaluru) and terminating at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Mumbai, the new semi-high-speed service covers the interstate route in approximately 16 hours. South Western Railway will manage and operate the service six days a week under train numbers 27652 northbound and 27651 southbound.
Overnight Service Launch and Operational Timetable
According to railway operational schedules, northbound train 27652 departs SMVT Bengaluru at 7:45 pm and arrives at CSMT Mumbai at 11:55 am the following day. On the return leg, train 27651 departs CSMT Mumbai at 8:10 pm, reaching SMVT Bengaluru at 12 noon the next day. The train halts at eight designated intermediate stations: Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune, and Kalyan. Commercial operations commence on November 2 for the Mumbai departure and November 3 for the Bengaluru service, with high early booking demand pushing ticket allocations onto waiting lists within hours of opening.
The Udyan Express takes approximately 24 hours to complete the journey between Bengaluru and Mumbai, while the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express brings the travel time down to around 16 hours, according to The Times of India.
The Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper route spans 1,118 km, with the train designed for operations at speeds of up to 160 kmph and capable of a maximum testing speed of 180 kmph, according to The Times of India.
Intercity Route Stoppages and Booking Demand
The 16-coach rake accommodates a total capacity of 823 passengers across three tiered accommodation classes. The car layout comprises 11 AC 3-Tier coaches with 611 berths, four AC 2-Tier coaches with 188 berths, and one AC First Class coach offering 24 berths. Ticket fares for the journey are set at 2,810 rupees for AC 3-Tier, 3,630 rupees for AC 2-Tier, and 4,450 rupees for AC First Class. Passenger bookings are accessible through IRCTC web portals, mobile reservation applications, and physical Passenger Reservation System counters.
Coach Configurations, Berth Capacities, and Fares
Manufactured by BEML utilizing engineering designs from the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, the train boasts an aerodynamic exterior with a design speed of up to 180 kmph. Onboard passenger amenities feature enhanced noise-reduction insulation, automatic sliding doors, inter-coach vestibules, and specialized disinfection systems. Safety features incorporate the indigenous Kavach train protection system alongside emergency passenger talk-back units. The rollout marks the deployment of India's long-distance semi-high-speed overnight fleet across high-density intercity travel corridors. Indian Railways plans to expand sleeper services across additional high-demand routes as new trainsets emerge from production lines. The modern rolling stock aims to deliver an elevated overnight travel experience, providing enhanced comfort for intercity business and leisure passengers.