30 October,2026 05:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The Vande Bharat Sleeper is designed to make long-distance overnight journeys more comfortable. Pic/Special Arrangement
The proposed Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train is likely to be flagged off in November, with ten stations on the route.
The service is set to connect passengers across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, with Anantapur and Guntakal included as scheduled stops in the reported route.
The overnight service is expected to offer a new travel option for passengers heading between Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai.
According to railway sources, the train could be flagged off in the first week of November 2026. However, the official launch date and final timetable are yet to be confirmed.
The proposed route will cover 10 stations, starting at Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru (SMVT) and ending at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai.
The reported stops are SMVT Bengaluru, Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune, Kalyan and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai.
The inclusion of Anantapur and Guntakal is expected to provide passengers in Andhra Pradesh with another long-distance overnight rail option. The service will also connect important destinations in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Sources added, the train is expected to leave Bengaluru at around 8 pm and reach Mumbai at approximately noon the following day. The journey could save passengers more than five hours compared with existing train services on the route, according to information cited in the document.
The proposed service is expected to operate six days a week in each direction. There will reportedly be no departure from Bengaluru on Mondays and no departure from Mumbai on Tuesdays.
These timings and operating details are tentative and await official confirmation from the Indian Railways.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper is designed to make long-distance overnight journeys more comfortable. Its passenger amenities are expected to include comfortable sleeping berths, mobile charging points, dedicated luggage space, automatic doors and accessibility features for passengers with restricted mobility.
The train will also have emergency buttons and a talkback system through which passengers can contact train staff when assistance is required. Bottle holders are also among the facilities mentioned in the proposed train details.
The proposed service will provide another rail connection for passengers travelling between Mumbai, Kalyan, Pune and Solapur. It could benefit students, working professionals, business travellers and families travelling between the three states.
The route will also bring passengers closer to several historical and religious destinations, including Siddheshwar Temple in Solapur, Shaniwar Wada in Pune and Haji Malang near Kalyan. Mumbai's attractions include the Gateway of India, Haji Ali Dargah and the UNESCO-listed CSMT.
