South India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Likely Next Weekend: Bengaluru-Mumbai Timings, Stops Inside
Indian Railways Update: The much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai is likely to be launched next weekend, on October 10 or 11, well-placed sources said. If the plan goes ahead, the service will become South India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, bringing an overnight sleeper service to one of the country’s busiest inter-city routes. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is expected to flag off the service at an official ceremony in Bengaluru, as reported by Deccan Herald. The exact launch date hasn’t been finalized, and the proposed timetable is tentative. The service is expected to connect Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai, six days a week. The Railway Board’s Coaching Directorate is expected to issue a formal notification allocating two Vande Bharat Sleeper rakes to South Western Railway (SWR).
Bengaluru-Mumbai Journey To Take Around 16 Hours: According to the tentative timetable, the Bengaluru-Mumbai service will take 16 hours, while the return journey will be slightly quicker at 15 hours and 45 minutes. The train is expected to depart SMVT Bengaluru at 7.50 pm and reach CSMT Mumbai at 11.55 am the following day. In the opposite direction, the train will leave CSMT Mumbai at 8.10 pm and arrive at SMVT Bengaluru at 11.55 am the next day. The service is proposed to operate six days a week in both directions, with two trainsets required to maintain the overnight schedule.
Seven Stoppages Proposed On The Route: The proposed service will have seven intermediate stoppages: Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune and Kalyan. The route will provide an overnight connection between Bengaluru and Mumbai while also serving important cities and railway junctions across Karnataka and Maharashtra. The train may be numbered 27651/27652, although the numbering and timetable are subject to confirmation by the Railways.
16-Coach Vande Bharat Sleeper Trainsets: The Bengaluru-Mumbai service will be operated with 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets manufactured by BEML under a programme led by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai). Each trainset has a capacity of 823 passengers, comprising 11 AC three-tier coaches, four AC two-tier coaches and one First AC coach. The train has been designed for speeds of up to 180 kmph and includes automatic passenger doors, improved suspension, reduced noise levels, the Kavach safety system, and an emergency talk-back system.
Two such trainsets are understood to be available for the Bengaluru-Mumbai service. One trainset is currently stabled at Bengaluru Cantonment, while another is at Varadapura near Bangarapet, according to the sources cited for the proposed launch. The trainsets are being produced by Bengaluru-based BEML using technology developed with ICF. The first Vande Bharat Sleeper service in the country began operations between Howrah and Kamakhya in January 2026, making the proposed Bengaluru-Mumbai service the second such service nationally and the first in South India.
Service Expected To Cut Travel Time: The proposed Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Mumbai compared with existing direct services, which generally take around 22-24 hours. The Railways had earlier announced approval for a Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and CSMT. In April 2026, Vaishnaw confirmed that the introduction of the service had been approved, while the Ministry of Railways subsequently said the service would start soon. The service has, however, faced delays. A September 2026 report said the launch had been pushed back from an earlier target, with the final operational arrangements and allocation of rakes still being worked out.
SMVT Bengaluru Likely To Be The Starting Point: The latest tentative plan has the sleeper service originating from SMVT Bengaluru, rather than KSR Bengaluru City railway station. This has been a point of discussion among railway passengers and advocacy groups, with Karnataka Railway Vedike’s KN Krishna Prasad saying the Railways should honour the earlier promise of starting the service from KSR Bengaluru (City), which he said would be more convenient for passengers. Earlier reports had indicated that KSR Bengaluru was the preferred terminal for the Bengaluru-Mumbai service, although SMVT Bengaluru was also being considered for operational and maintenance requirements.
Launch Date Still Awaited: While sources have indicated October 10 or 11 as the likely launch window, the date is not final until the Railways issues the formal notification. The proposed timetable, train numbers, stoppages and terminal arrangements could also change before the service is officially opened for bookings. The launch would mark a significant addition to overnight rail connectivity between Bengaluru and Mumbai, with the Vande Bharat Sleeper designed specifically for long-distance journeys where passengers can travel overnight in air-conditioned sleeper accommodation.
