New Delhi: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved a new Vande Bharat Sleeper train service between Bengaluru and Mumbai, marking a significant expansion of India's premium overnight rail network.
The announcement follows a letter dated April 5, 2026, addressed to BJP MP PC Mohan, confirming the new route between KSR Bengaluru Railway Station and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai.
The move comes nearly three months after the launch of the inaugural Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper service, which recorded strong demand and high occupancy levels. According to official communication, the new Bengaluru-Mumbai service is part of the government's accelerated plan to roll out 12 Vande Bharat sleeper rakes by December 2026, aimed at strengthening long-distance rail connectivity across India.
In his letter, the Railway Minister stated that the introduction of the new sleeper service has been approved following discussions on improving passenger convenience and intercity connectivity. The train is expected to offer modern amenities, reduced travel time, and a premium overnight travel experience.
Multiple sources within Central Railway suggest that the new Vande Bharat service is likely to run via Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Raichur and Guntakal, the route taken by Udyan Express.
The Vande Bharat platform, launched in 2019 on the New Delhi-Varanasi route, has grown rapidly in popularity. Indian Railways has reportedly served over 9.1 crore passengers across one lakh trips, reflecting strong year-on-year growth in demand for semi-high-speed services.
The earlier Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper recorded over 100% occupancy in its initial months, carrying around 1.21 lakh passengers in its first 119 trips, highlighting strong public response to luxury overnight rail travel.
With the Bengaluru-Mumbai route now approved, the new Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to significantly enhance premium rail connectivity between two of India's major economic hubs, further accelerating the shift towards faster and more comfortable long-distance train travel.