The new train will provide passengers with an additional travel option between the two cities, benefiting professionals, entrepreneurs, business travellers, students, traders and tourists. It will also improve connectivity across regional centres in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Following the launch of the Howrah–Guwahati Vande Bharat Sleeper service in January 2026 and the flag-off of the Varanasi–New Delhi service on the previous day, the Bengaluru–Mumbai train further expands Indian Railways' overnight sleeper network.
The train will run via Anantapur and Guntakal in Andhra Pradesh; Raichur, Yadgir, Wadi and Kalaburagi in Karnataka; and Solapur, Pune and Kalyan in Maharashtra. According to Vaishnaw, the service will improve access to premium rail travel for parts of North Karnataka that previously had limited access to such services.
The Railway Minister also announced plans for another Vande Bharat Sleeper service originating from Bengaluru and connecting northern Karnataka towards the Hubballi region before proceeding towards Pune and Mumbai. He added that Vande Bharat services between Bengaluru and Mangaluru are expected to begin within the next few weeks, subject to the completion of electrification and successful testing. The proposed service is expected to strengthen connectivity between Bengaluru and coastal Karnataka.
Vaishnaw also highlighted plans to improve connectivity through new railway corridors, stating that the Bengaluru–Chennai journey would take around 73 minutes, while travel between Bengaluru and Hyderabad would take approximately two hours and 10 minutes.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi welcomed the expansion of railway infrastructure in Karnataka, particularly in the northern parts of the state. He highlighted increased funding for railway development and improvements in safety, noting that the number of railway accidents had declined from 135 to 16 following the rollout of the Kavach train protection system. He said the government aims to achieve zero accidents.
Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy welcomed the new Bengaluru–Mumbai service and the proposed connections to Mangaluru and Pune. He said the initiatives would benefit Karnataka residents as well as migrant workers and families from states such as West Bengal, Assam and Bihar living in Bengaluru.
Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna said railway infrastructure projects worth approximately Rs 52,000 crore were underway in Karnataka. He highlighted efforts to expedite pending projects, improve passenger amenities, construct railway overbridges and underbridges, restore train services and modernise stations in Bengaluru and other important centres.
The Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will depart SMVT Bengaluru at 7:45 pm and arrive at CSMT Mumbai at 11:55 am the following day. In the return direction, it will depart Mumbai at 8:10 pm and reach Bengaluru at noon the next day. The service will operate six days a week, except Mondays for departures from Bengaluru and Tuesdays for departures from Mumbai.
The overnight schedule will enable passengers to travel between the two metropolitan centres while making more effective use of their daytime. It will also provide additional connectivity to cities and towns along the route.
The launch marks another step in Indian Railways' efforts to expand modern passenger services, improve regional connectivity and support economic activity through railway infrastructure development.
